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Burma's Than Shwe welcomed with red carpet in Delhi
Submitted by Khushi in Politics, on the 27th of July, 2010 at 06:17:59am.
Reclusive Burmese junta leader General Than Shwe has received a red carpet welcome in the Indian capital, on a state visit condemned by rights groups.
He is meeting Indian PM Manmohan Singh in Delhi on a rare five-day trip that aims to deepen the economic and strategic ties between the two nations.
The Burmese leader laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Indian independence leader and non-violence hero, Mahatma Gandhi.
On Monday, pro-democracy protesters demonstrated against the visit.
They shouted slogans and carried posters in Delhi labelling the leader, whose regime crushed pro-democracy protests led by Burmese monks three years ago, a murderer and dictator.
BURMA: BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY
* Who is at the heart of Burma's junta?
* How do you apply pressure on Burma?
* Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi
* Burma's 'forgotten' Chin people
On Tuesday, the general was accorded a full ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace in Delhi, although the traditional guard of honour was missing because rain forced the event indoors.
Vote endorsement?
Burma's junta, which has ruled for nearly 50 years, is accused of widespread human rights abuses.
Until the mid-1990s, Delhi was a supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's imprisoned pro-democracy leader.
But analysts say India's desire to compete with China for access to Burma's vast natural gas resources has since outweighed concerns over human rights.
Correspondents say concerns over insurgencies and drug trafficking along India and Burma's shared 1,000-mile (1,600km) border are also likely to be discussed.
Than Shwe is expected to seek India's endorsement for his country's first elections since 1990, which the military regime has said will be held later this year.
Western nations have labelled the proposed ballot a sham, while Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party has been forced to disband after refusing to take part.
He is meeting Indian PM Manmohan Singh in Delhi on a rare five-day trip that aims to deepen the economic and strategic ties between the two nations.
The Burmese leader laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Indian independence leader and non-violence hero, Mahatma Gandhi.
On Monday, pro-democracy protesters demonstrated against the visit.
They shouted slogans and carried posters in Delhi labelling the leader, whose regime crushed pro-democracy protests led by Burmese monks three years ago, a murderer and dictator.
BURMA: BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY
* Who is at the heart of Burma's junta?
* How do you apply pressure on Burma?
* Profile: Aung San Suu Kyi
* Burma's 'forgotten' Chin people
On Tuesday, the general was accorded a full ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace in Delhi, although the traditional guard of honour was missing because rain forced the event indoors.
Vote endorsement?
Burma's junta, which has ruled for nearly 50 years, is accused of widespread human rights abuses.
Until the mid-1990s, Delhi was a supporter of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's imprisoned pro-democracy leader.
But analysts say India's desire to compete with China for access to Burma's vast natural gas resources has since outweighed concerns over human rights.
Correspondents say concerns over insurgencies and drug trafficking along India and Burma's shared 1,000-mile (1,600km) border are also likely to be discussed.
Than Shwe is expected to seek India's endorsement for his country's first elections since 1990, which the military regime has said will be held later this year.
Western nations have labelled the proposed ballot a sham, while Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition party has been forced to disband after refusing to take part.
