Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan meets PM, presses for boycott of CHOGM Summit

New Delhi – Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan on Thursday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and urged him that India should boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) summit in Sri Lanka keeping in mind the sentiments of Tamil Nadu parties.

“India has not taken any final decision on the Commonwealth summit,” he told reporters after meeting the Prime Minister, adding “it would be announced at an appropriate time”.

Vasan said he met the Prime Minister to apprise him of the view of the people in Tamil Nadu and the unanimous resolution adopted by the state assembly demanding that India “completely” boycott CHOGM in Sri Lanka next month.

The Union Minister said that 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 stated.

Vasan said he had also highlighted the problems faced by fishermen. “The Prime Minister expressed his concern on the fishermen’s problems. The Centre is working towards creating an environment to resolve the issue soon,” he said.

Questioned about reports that the Congress core group has requested Prime Minister to attend the Commonwealth summit, he said, only “the official decision could be the final decision”. The Government would spell out its stand officially, he said.