12
April 2006
Press Release
Following is the full text of the letter addressed to the Prime Minister jointly by the CPI(M) General Secretary, Prakash Karat and CPI General Secretary, A.B. Bardhan on the reported proposal for making the USA a SAARC Observer.
12
April 2006
Dr.
Manmohan Singh
Prime
Minister
Government
of India
New Delhi
Dear
Dr. Manmohan Singhji,
We
have learnt that there is a proposal to make the United States an observer in
the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
This is being considered at the request of the United States government.
It has been reported in the media that the issue will be discussed in the
forthcoming meeting of the Foreign Secretaries of the SAARC countries when the
modalities for associating China and Japan as observers is going to be
worked out.
We
are unable to understand the rationale for
involving the United States as an observer in the South Asian regional forum. We
wonder whether India’s decision to support the United States as an observer is
an outcome of the strategic partnership that has been worked out with the
United States which necessitates direct involvement by the latter in the
region.
If
non-Asian powers are going to be associated with the SAARC, then
other major countries of the Asean region and Russia would have a better
claim to be associated.
It
would be better if the Government clarifies its position in the matter.
With
regards
Yours
sincerely
(Prakash
Karat)
(A.B. Bardhan)
