Government to decide on PM attending CHOGM

In an indication that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh might attend the Commonwealth Government Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo next month, the government said Thursday a decision on this would soon be taken.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin, asked whether the prime minister would participate, said: "The process has started (to arrive at a decision), it has not reached culmination."

He added that the decision would be conveyed at the appropriate time.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have been urging the central government to boycott the Nov 15-17 summit in Colombo over Sri Lanka's alleged human rights violations.

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, whose party snapped ties with the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) earlier this year over its policy on the Sri Lankan Tamils' issue, Thursday reiterated that India should boycott the Commonwealth summit.

The Tamil Nadu assembly last week passed a resolution urging the central government to respect the sentiments of Tamils and boycott the Commonwealth summit.

The new chief minister of Sri Lanka's Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran, has invited Manmohan Singh to visit Jaffna, the capital of the Tamil-majority province.

Akbaruddin confirmed that the prime minister received the letter Oct 28.

The letter "indicates that he is grateful for Indian assistance, that elections were held and that an elected body has taken charge... He has also invited the prime minister to visit Jaffna," the spokesperson said.

The invitation would, the spokesperson said, "Of course, (be) an input in the decision-making process, and would be considered with a variety of other factors."

To another question, the spokesperson said the relationship between India and Sri Lanka cannot be characterised as "usual. It is a very strong relationship, it is a very close relationship and it is a relationship where India has worked with Sri Lanka for a variety of issues, including the welfare of the people in the northern areas who have been adversely impacted".

He added that India's relationship with Sri Lanka is "certainly unique" and their "interaction is also in a way distinct, that is reflected in India's foreign policy and approach towards Sri Lanka".

Sri Lanka, an important neighbour, is very keen that Manmohan Singh attend the CHOGM summit it is hosting. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris visited New Delhi August last to personally deliver the invitation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the summit.

"We would very much like him to be there. It is very important," Peiris had said.