Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: Hindustan Times
Date: August 23, 2011
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Manmohan-s-decision-to-miss-CHOGM-disappointing-for-Aus/Article1-736438.aspx
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to
miss the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth
has been disappointing for Australia, a top Indian business leader has said.
"It's true that Australian Prime Minister
Julia Gillard was looking forward to welcoming the Indian Prime Minister.
There was lot of expectations from that visit. And I must say there is a bit
of disappointment," director general and CEO of Commonwealth Business
Council Mohan Kaul told PTI on the sidelines of Australia India Business Council
meet here.
A strong Indian delegation led by Vice President
Hamid Ansari will attend the CHOGM to be held in October, Kaul said.
"We have number of ministers and business
leaders participating from India," he said, adding the council was trying
to reassure Canberra that it would not affect India Australia business relations.
Recently, Australia India Institute director
Amitabh Mattoo had said Singh's absence was said to have taken away the sheen
off the forum.
He said there was a feeling that the Labor
government's decision not to supply uranium to India was influencing Singh's
travel plans. He also added that despite a growing convergence of values and
interests, and the efforts of two high commissioners, there was still little
real conversation between key players in Australia and their counterparts
in India.
"New Delhi and Canberra may know each
other, but they still do not have a nuanced understanding of each other. Thus
in the absence of a sustained engagement at many levels, even a single issue
can derail bilateral ties. This needs to change if the two countries are to
work with each other and in the interests of the region," he said.
Indian Consul General in Melbourne S K Behera
said it was a government's decision but India did see CHOGM with great importance.
It is understood that Canberra had plans to
accord Singh the rare honour of addressing both houses of parliament during
his visit.
