only better

[david11]

Chidambaram has the same strengths as Manmohan Singh, only better. He too is trusted by the West and is an economic expert. Hence he will be the obvious choice for PM in case Rahul Gandhi declines the job," a prominent businessperson from the state said, mentioning that "it is no secret that the many endorsements from abroad and within Tamil Nadu (including Time magazine and M. Karunanidhi himself) for him to take the top slot have shown that he is the next in line after Manmohan Singh steps down next year."

What does "only better" mean here? Does it mean Chidambaram is better than manmohan singh? if yes, then why they say same strengths?

 

[Rover_KE]

Strengths here means things he is good at, or skills. Chidambaram's are superior to Manmohan Singh's.

Rover

 

[SoothingDave]

It's not a very good sentence.

What it means is that he shares the same strengths. But his argument is even stronger. Both are "trusted by the West," but he is more trusted. Both are "economic experts" but he is more of an expert.