Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is under immense pressure since some of the parties within his own government are opposing his visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later this month. Although the external affairs ministry has recommended the prime minister to go ahead, Singh seems to be in a Catch-22 situation. Political parties from Tamil Nadu, including Minister of State in the PMO, V Narayanasamy and Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan are openly opposing Singh's visit, alleging that Sri Lanka was indulged in atrocities against ethnic Tamils in India. Being the prime minister of the country, Singh must respect the sentiments of the people in Tamil Nadu, but when it comes to international relationship, especially with a neighbouring nation, diplomacy becomes more important than emotions. We should not forget that ethnic groups had supported the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that assassinated former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. The situation is different now and a better future for the ethnic Tamils can be expected only through diplomatic talks with Sri Lanka. The prime minister's withdrawal from the CHOGM would send the wrong message in the international community, and Sri Lanka will surely get due mileage.
Mohd Mudassir Alam Bihar
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