SUNIL JAYASIRI 
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No decision on Singh attending CHOGM: India
In the wake of pulls and pressures from different directions, the Indian External Affairs Ministry official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin made it clear Thursday that no decision has been taken so far on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will attend the CHOGM meet in Colombo, the Indian Express reported.Contrary to reports that the Prime Minister will attend the summit, Akbaruddin asserted that the decision will be taken after considering all aspects including "national interest" and "international obligations".
Akbaruddin said that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka should not 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. So, let us not judge these things by the usual parameters of what you think is usual." The spokesperson's comment comes a day after the Congress Core Committee met to discuss the strategy to be adopted on the contentious issue.
Meanwhile, Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan told media that India has not taken any decision to attend the CHOGM in Colombo yet, the PTI reported.
After meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday, where he had urged the Premier that India should boycott the summit in Sri Lanka keeping in mind the sentiments of Tamil Nadu parties, Vasan said, “India has not taken any final decision on the Commonwealth summit. It would be announced at an appropriate time.”
Vasan said the Prime Minister gave him a patient hearing. "The Prime Minister informed that he would act keeping the sentiments of people of Tamil Nadu in mind over Sri Lanka. He had assured to take a good decision," he added.
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