Government dodges query on PM attending Colombo CHOGM

With Tamil parties raising a clamour against India's participation in next month's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, the government Friday declined to give a direct answer on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would participate in the event.

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, addressing newspersons at a briefing, said a decision on Manmohan Singh's participation in the Nov 15-17 event would be taken "close to the date, keeping in mind India's foreign policy priorities and national obligations".

The prime minister had earlier this week written to DMK chief M. Karunanidhi saying he would take the concerns of the party and the Tamils into consideration while deciding about his participation in CHOGM.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa too has written to the prime minister asking him not to attend the 54-nation meet in Sri Lanka to protest alleged violation of human rights of Tamils living there.

The foreign secretary said that while the Commonwealth is a "relevant institution" and a meeting ground of leaders of the 54 nations, "foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy" -- a fact that "should not be forgotten".

On Thursday, knowledgeable sources told IANS that so far there has been no change announced in plans, or arrangements made for some other person to represent the prime minister.

One authoritative source brushed aside reports of the prime minister cancelling the visit as "speculation".

Sri Lanka, an important neighbour, is very keen that Manmohan Singh attends the CHOGM summit. Its Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris was in New Delhi in August to personally deliver the invitation to the prime minister.

The DMK had quit the United Progressive Alliance government in March this year expressing its unhappiness over the Indian government's policy on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue.

--Indo-Asian News service

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