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UK irked at contact with Myanmar
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UK irked at contact with Myanmar
The Times of India (New Delhi)
November 21, 2000
By Seema Guha
NEW DELHI: Indo-British ties are currently at an all time high, but
there are seeming contradictions on certain vital issues. This was
evident from remarks on Pakistan and Myanmar vis- a-vis India made by
visiting British minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs
Peter Hain.
Hain, who welcomed India's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire during
Ramzan, said that Britain wants India and Pakistan to take up their
disrupted dialogue because tension between the two newest nuclear states
is dangerous to the entire region.
While he appreciated Indian compulsions for engaging the military junta
in Myanmar, he said he could not help wondering ``how the world's
largest democracy,'' can `fraternise with a regime that viciously
suppresses democracy''.
Hain met minister of state for external affairs Ajit Panja, and held
talks with National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra. He is expected to
call on external affairs minister Jaswant Singh.
Britain, which has already ratified and signed the CTBT, wants India to
sign it. But Hain refused to speculate on the CTBT's future if George
Bush becomes the next US President. The Republicans while supporting
non- proliferation have refused to ratify the treaty in the US Senate.
He said he would take up the case of Peter Bleach, now languishing in a
Calcutta jail for the Purulia arms drop case, with the Indian
government. Five Russian co-accused in the case have been let off and
have returned home. The British are not asking for his release, but want
to know why Bleach was not treated on par with the Russians.
Despite these hiccups, the news on the bilateral front is good. India
and the UK are working closely on the new knowledge based technology.
Hain said Britain regards India as the biggest knowledge base for IT and
hopes for IT partnership between India and Britain.
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<blockquote><b><font size=+2>UK irked at contact with Myanmar</font></b></blockquote>
<p><br><b>The Times of India (New Delhi)</b>
<br><b>November 21, 2000</b>
<p><b>By Seema Guha</b>
<p><b>NEW DELHI:</b> Indo-British ties are currently at an all time high,
but there are seeming contradictions on certain vital issues. This was
evident from remarks on Pakistan and Myanmar vis- a-vis India made by visiting
British minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs Peter Hain.
<p>Hain, who welcomed India's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire during
Ramzan, said that Britain wants India and Pakistan to take up their disrupted
dialogue because tension between the two newest nuclear states is dangerous
to the entire region.
<p>While he appreciated Indian compulsions for engaging the military junta
in Myanmar, he said he could not help wondering ``how the world's largest
democracy,'' can `fraternise with a regime that viciously suppresses democracy''.
<p>Hain met minister of state for external affairs Ajit Panja, and held
talks with National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra. He is expected to
call on external affairs minister Jaswant Singh.
<p>Britain, which has already ratified and signed the CTBT, wants India
to sign it. But Hain refused to speculate on the CTBT's future if George
Bush becomes the next US President. The Republicans while supporting non-
proliferation have refused to ratify the treaty in the US Senate.
<p>He said he would take up the case of Peter Bleach, now languishing in
a Calcutta jail for the Purulia arms drop case, with the Indian government.
Five Russian co-accused in the case have been let off and have returned
home. The British are not asking for his release, but want to know why
Bleach was not treated on par with the Russians.
<p>Despite these hiccups, the news on the bilateral front is good. India
and the UK are working closely on the new knowledge based technology. Hain
said Britain regards India as the biggest knowledge base for IT and hopes
for IT partnership between India and Britain.
<br> </html>
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