India keeps up suspense on PM's attending CHOGM

18 October 2013 02:09 pm Views - 4455

India on Friday kept the suspense on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will attend the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka next month in view of strong opposition by Tamil parties.

Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh said the Prime Minister has been invited by the government of Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) but the government has not taken any decision.

"The decision will be taken closer to the date (of CHOGM) keeping in view the foreign policy, international obligations and national interest," she told reporters when asked whether the Prime Minister will travel to Colombo to attend the meet.

"Foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy. It is meant to protect domestic interests and any decision that will be taken will be keeping in view the domestic interests, foreign policy and international obligations," she added.

Parties in Tamil Nadu are strongly opposed to Singh's participation in the Summit in Colombo, alleging Sri Lanka has indulged in atrocities against ethnic Tamils.

Asked whether the Commonwealth is still relevant, the Foreign Secretary said an institution with as many as 53 member-countries "can't be but relevant".(PTI)