From correspondents in Delhi, India, 12:33 AM IST

The key challenge before the new government is to bridge the rural-urban gap, new Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said Thursday night.

'The key challenge is to bring rural India to the mainstream,' Scindia said soon after the portfolios of the new ministers were announced by the Prime Minister's Office.

He added that the 'mix of youth and experience' in the new council of ministers would help the government perform better than its previous term.

'Look at the ministers. A lot of new energy and innovative thinking is there,' said Scindia.

Regarding Rahul Gandhi's decision not to join the cabinet, he said: 'We must respect his decision. His decision to work for strengthening the party at the ground level is very important.'

(Staff Writer, © IANS)