Boycott defence conference: Vaiko

Mr. Vaiko said he was shocked to know that a delegation of senior Indian military personnel and BJP leaders would take part in the conference to be held from August 18 to 20.

Vaiko, general secretary of the MDMK, an ally of the BJP, on Tuesday urged the Centre not to participate in the defence conference to be hosted by Sri Lanka in August.

In a statement, Mr. Vaiko said he was shocked to know that a delegation of senior Indian military personnel and BJP leaders would take part in the conference to be held from August 18 to 20.

Reiterating his charge that the Sri Lankan government annihilated Tamils in the island, he said the Centre’s pro-Sri Lankan stand was raising fears of India joining hands with the neighbouring country to bury justice.

He also condemned BJP leader Seshadri Chari’s reported remark that India’s foreign policy could not be determined only on the basis of the interests of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.

DMK president M. Karunanidhi has also opposed India’s participation in the conference. It amounted to the betrayal of the Tamils, he said.