国际英语新闻:Indian Prime Minister-elect Modi meets with ailing finance minister

NEW DELHI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi met ailing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the outgoing union government in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Earlier in the day, Jaitley had written to Modi expressing his unwillingness to join the new Council of Ministers which is slated to take oath on Thursday evening, citing "health reasons."

In a letter to Modi, Jaitley said that he was unable to take any responsibility in the new government in order to "concentrate on medical treatment and health."

"During the last 18 months, I have had some serious health challenges. My doctors have enabled to emerge out of most of them. I would in future for sometime like to keep away from any responsibility. This will enable me to concentrate on my treatment and health," he said in the letter.

Jaitley, however, expressed his readiness to undertake any work informally to support the government or the BJP.

If media reports are to be believed, besides enquiring about his health, Modi is also expected to ask Jaitley to reconsider his decision and join his cabinet.