Manmohan Singh set to skip CHOGM meet in Sri Lanka

[cloud_9]

I was expecting a (fast) fast by Karunanidhi.

The only relevance of Tamil Nadu since the Sri Lankan Civil War in Indian politics has been confined to policies of Indian government in relation to Sri Lankan Tamils.Local politicians should be congratulated

 

[Gibbs]

PM missing CHOGM will be a signal of foreign policy paralysis

With the Congress red-flagging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's participation at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo out of populist electoral considerations, the country's foreign policy has hit an all-time low. Under pressure from the DMK as well as ministers within the government, a divided Congress core group has impressed upon the PM not to visit Sri Lanka. This utter capitulation to domestic political sentiment - months before the general elections - exemplifies an infirm government whose creeping paralysis has affected its foreign policy as well.

While there are certain issues on which domestic considerations can influence foreign policy, the latter cannot comprise a surrender to sentiment alone. By not attending the CHOGM summit the PM would be creating a significant amount of ill will in Colombo. In strategic terms, New Delhi's subservience to such sentiment could drive the Sri Lankan government - yet considered an ally - into the arms of China. It's not at all clear how the PM would be able to magically influence the Rajapaksa regime to do more for Sri Lankan Tamils - including greater devolution of powers to Tamil-dominated areas - by staying out. Rather, lack of engagement will push such goals further away.

We have already seen the results of such an ineffectual foreign policy approach in Bangladesh. Despite the historic opportunity presented by a friendly dispensation in Dhaka, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's petulance was allowed to torpedo what could have been a new chapter in India-Bangladesh ties. As Bangladesh heads for national polls - slated for January - the opportunity cost of this is something that India could end up ruing for a very long time. On the other hand, India's determination to steadfastly support engagement with Myanmar - despite international criticism - is today celebrated as commendable foreign policy foresight that has held New Delhi in good stead.

There are several ways in which the CHOGM issue could have been handled. As proposed by the external affairs ministry, combining the PM's Colombo trip with another to Tamil-dominated Jaffna would have been good strategy. In fact, the newly-elected chief minister of Sri Lanka's Northern Provincial Council had already invited the PM. This would have addressed Tamil concerns and yet kept the relationship with Colombo on an even keel. By choosing the path of least resistance, New Delhi risks all its strategic capital in Colombo.

PM missing CHOGM will be a signal of foreign policy paralysis - Times Of India

 

[Gibbs]

On hindsight i have sympathy for the GOI on this whole CHOGM fiasco.. They were caught between a rock and a hard place.. On one side all the Tamil extremists getting maximum advantage to further their separatist cause in TN usuing the usual scapegoat Sri Lanka and on the other hand TN congress members begging for their survival in a unseemly situation that they will regain their minority seats come next years elections in TN.. A state that has always voted for B grade Tamil Movie actors to power on regionalist and separatist agenda's.. Never on Indian nationalist plat form.. Shows the immature mindset of it's electorate

I think the Congress hierarchy tried to minimise the damage as much as possible with waiting to announce the decision at the very last moment so that the Madrasi elements wont be able to exploit the situation further.. So the GOSL did acknowledge the difficulty faced by the Indian govt and have shown some degree of empathy despite the disappointment.. I hope the central govts of both countries will strive to repair the damage from getting worse.. But the onus is on India and how much it is going to pander to the hostile extremist TN in it's relation regarding Sri Lanka

 

[Sriram]

On hindsight i have sympathy for the GOI on this whole CHOGM fiasco.. They were caught between a rock and a hard place.. On one side all the Tamil extremists getting maximum advantage to further their separatist cause in TN usuing the usual scapegoat Sri Lanka and on the other hand TN congress members begging for their survival in a unseemly situation that they will regain their minority seats come next years elections in TN.. A state that has always voted for B grade Tamil Movie actors on regionalist and separatist agenda's.. Never on Indian nationalist plat form

I think the Congress hierarchy tried to minimise the damage as much as possible with waiting to announce the decision at the very last moment so that the Madrasi elements wont be able to exploit the situation further.. So the GOSL did acknowledge the difficulty faced by the Indian govt and have shown some degree of empathy despite the disappointment.. I hope the central govts of both countries will strive to repair the damage from getting worse.. But the onus is on India and how much it is going to pander to the hostile extremist TN in it's relation regarding Sri Lanka

Its only SL govt that lost face, when some country boycotts its loss of face to your Govt... SL very insignificant in world politics.. the loss would be to SL govt only... at best you can sell some land to China to piss us off what else can SL govt do? Do singalese have any say at world level?.. Points to ponder...
And your scaremongering wont have any effect on Indians as TN parties dropped demand for separation in 1950s..

 

[Gibbs]

Its only SL govt that lost face, when some country boycotts its loss of face to your Govt... SL very insignificant in world politics.. the loss would be to SL govt only... at best you can sell some land to China to piss us off what else can SL govt do? Do singalese have any say at world level?.. Points to ponder...
And your scaremongering wont have any effect on Indians as TN parties dropped demand for separation in 1950s..

Well thats not what rest of India thinks.. Including rest of south india than the obvious TN.. So i guess the joke is still on you silly Madrasi's.. Fortunately for you next year is a election year.. If not we could have seen what GOI really think of your hilarious antics..

Indian media criticise Delhi's 'diplomatic error' over Commonwealth summit

Media in India see Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's boycott of the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka as a "diplomatic error".

Reports say Mr Singh cancelled his visit and decided to send his foreign minister instead due to political pressure from regional Tamil parties in India.

The parties criticise the Sri Lankan government for its alleged war crimes against Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009 and want it to hold an independent inquiry.

A meeting of the Commonwealth group, which is an organisation of 53 former British territories, is due to take place this week.

Sri Lanka says Mr Singh's decision is "not a defeat" for the summit.

The Deccan Herald feels Mr Singh has made a "serious diplomatic error" by cancelling his participation.

"It is very wrong to allow the country's foreign policy to be held hostage to the narrow political and electoral considerations of regional parties. A weak government is setting a bad precedent for future, and no one gains from it too," the paper adds.

The Times of India says the government has taken the decision due to "populist electoral considerations".

"This utter capitulation to domestic political sentiment - months before the general elections - exemplifies an infirm government whose creeping paralysis has affected its foreign policy as well," it says.

For The Hindu, India's diplomatic blunder can lead to Sri Lanka looking for other allies in the region.

The paper adds that "it is debatable if Sri Lanka will turn into a Chinese satellite in the Indian Ocean as is commonly feared, but clearly, the island will be looking for other allies in the region and beyond".

The Tamil Nadu-based paper also criticises regional Tamil parties, saying it is easier for them "to flog the emotional overtones of the issue than respond to more pressing domestic concerns".

Staying with foreign affairs, Russia, China and India have agreed to join hands in the fight against terrorism, particularly after the withdrawal of Western forces from Afghanistan in 2014, the Deccan Herald reports.

The decision was taken at a trilateral meeting in Delhi between foreign ministers of India, Russia and China.

"We had a very productive discussion on the issue of counterterrorism. We also want to look together at countering the drug trade that is as great a menace as terrorism," Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said.

BBC News - Indian media criticise Delhi's 'diplomatic error' over Commonwealth summit

 

[Android]

With Jayalalita has her eyes firmly set on PM chair next year the anti SL rhetoric from her and her party would be reaching humongous proportion in coming months it would be really funny to watch how this drama unfolds

 

[Gibbs]

With Jayalalita has her eyes firmly set on PM chair next year the anti SL rhetoric from her and her party would be reaching humongous proportion in coming months it would be really funny to watch how this drama unfolds

...

 

[Sriram]

Well thats not what rest of India thinks.. Including rest of south india than the obvious TN.. So i guess the joke is still on you silly Madrasi's.. Fortunately for you next year is a election year.. If not we could have seen what GOI really think of your hilarious antics..

Dude seriously ? are you trying to make a tamil guy feel bad? good luck!!

 

[Gibbs]

Dude seriously ? are you trying to make a tamil guy feel bad? good luck!!

No need to.. Sri Lankans arnt jumping jigs and setting themselves on fire .. You jokers are..There is a non stop party In Colombo this weekend with 37 countries participating.. We dont give a flying f@ck of what you think..

 

[Sriram]

No need to.. Sri Lankans arnt jumping jigs and setting themselves on fire .. You jokers are..There is a non stop party In Colombo this weekend with 37 countries participating.. We dont give a flying f@ck of what you think..

World media says other wise... Anyway you need to grab world attention some how.. war crimes is one of the ways.. well done singalese!!

 

[Gibbs]

World media says other wise... Anyway you need to grab world attention some how.. war crimes is one of the ways.. well done singalese!!

The world media is in SL.. Including your venerated comedy show Channel 4.. Which btw was kicked out of India much to the chagrin of you silly Madrasi's..

You can congratulate the Sinhalese but contrary to your racist bigoted mind, The victory against Tamil terrorists goes to all of us Sri Lankans irrespective of our ethnicity

Despite your antics realize that nobody gives two hoots about you'll, Not now, not during the war and especially not when we crack some petty madrasi heads poaching in our waters.. Except for the up coming elections, Not Sri Lanka, Not the rest of India nor the rest of the world, Every other leader is attending the grand party except the two countries baying for elections next year.. Elections over you'll go back to being a insignificant nuisance you are.. Go read the comments from other Indians on the links provided.. Sooner you lot realize this better for you peace of mind

 

[Sriram]

The world media is in SL.. Including your venerated comedy show Channel 4.. Which btw was kicked out of India much to the chagrin of you silly Madrasi's..

You can congratulate the Sinhalese but contrary to your racist bigoted mind, The victory against Tamil terrorists goes to all of us Sri Lankans irrespective of our ethnicity

Despite your antics realize that nobody gives two hoots about you'll, Not now, not during the war and especially not when we crack some petty madrasi heads poaching in our waters.. Except for the up coming elections, Not Sri Lanka, Not the rest of India nor the rest of the world, Every other leader is attending the grand party except the two countries baying for elections next year.. Elections over you'll go back to being a insignificant nuisance you are.. Go read the comments from other Indians on the links provided.. Sooner you lot realize this better for you peace of mind

Im peaceful alright, My only concern is what is your govt leaving to your future generations? Will you teach your kids to be proud of the fact that your army conducted massacre in no fire zone created by them? will you tell them proudly your army killed a kid just because he was son of your enemy? Your victory is temporary .. think of all the damage you have done to your community ... now that the world has seen your true face with video evidences, can you be proud of it, can u erase your history? All you had to do was provide equal rights.. now you will have to answer to your future generations... It is better not to leave a mark at all instead of passing a legacy of barbarity...

 

[Skyline]

Im peaceful alright, My only concern is what is your govt leaving to your future generations? Will you teach your kids to be proud of the fact that your army conducted massacre in no fire zone created by them? will you tell them proudly your army killed a kid just because he was son of your enemy? Your victory is temporary .. think of all the damage you have done to your community ... now that the world has seen your true face with video evidences, can you be proud of it, can u erase your history? All you had to do was provide equal rights.. now you will have to answer to your future generations... It is better not to leave a mark at all instead of passing a legacy of barbarity...

dude, what's this equal rights thing? Can you explain what are the banned rights for Tamils and all other ethnic groups in Sri Lanka is enjoying???

Are Sinhalese not allowing Tamils to enter some shops? (like some Tamils do in TN?)
Are Sinhalese do not eating/buying from Tamil shops?
what's this thing huh?

 

[Contrarian]

Very disappointed over the PM not going to the CHOGM meet.

Central Government is capitulating every now and then to local politics.
India should be helping out countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

 

[JanjaWeed]

Oh well... now vote-bank politics to decide our foreign policy too? Sad state of affairs, indeed. National interest is taking back seat for regional political appeasement. Can it get any worse?