BIMST-EC Diary

Are we talking?
The question of whether the Indian government would extend its cease-fire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) group beyond July 31 figured prominently on the first day of Manmohan Singh's three-day tour of Thailand.

"I have no plans to meet NSCN leaders", Singh said when asked if he would consider meeting them during his stay in Bangkok. National Security Adviser JN Dixit also denied that he would meet the NSCN leaders.

However, talks between NSCN leaders and Indian government's emissaries are scheduled to be held in the coming days and officials hoped that the cease-fire would be extended and peace talks might get a further boost.

Calling all Indians
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's first official function after landing here was to address a gathering of over 200 non-resident Indians settled in Bangkok.

There are about 80,000 non-resident Indians settled in Thailand. He invited them to invest in India and become its "creative partners". It was a brief and emotional speech that moved many business leaders who came for the reception.

Singh rephrased his favourite quote of Victor Hugo""No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come""to describe the rapid strides made by the Indian economy.

Where are my tickets?
PMO officials have still not got used to the fact that Manmohan Singh is a prime minister with a difference. Many of them were surprised to learn that just a day before embarking on his first overseas visit as prime minister, Singh quite innocently asked his secretary for his plane tickets. And then he wanted some foreign exchange. The secretary was reportedly at a loss for words.

Finally, he advised all his officials on the plane to refrain from drinking. Alcoholic drinks were available for those from the media and officials who wanted a peg or two came out to have a chat with journalists.