India hails Suu Kyi’s release, hopes for political change
November 13th, 2010 - 11:04 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) India Saturday welcomed the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and hoped that this step will be the beginning of an inclusive reconciliation in Myanmar.
“I understand that the Government of Myanmar has just released Madame Aung San Suu Kyi. The government of India welcomes her release,” External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said here.
“As a close neighbour of Myanmar, we are confident that the release of Suu Kyi will contribute to efforts for a more inclusive approach to political change,” Krishna said.
India also broke its silence on last week’s elections in Myanmar. “The recent elections in Myanmar are an important step in the direction of the national reconciliation process being undertaken by the government of Myanmar,” said Krishna.
“We have always encouraged them to take this process forward in a broad-based and inclusive manner,” he said.
Suu Kyi’s release come soon after the Myanmar’s military junta’s proxy political party, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), swept the country’s first elections in decades Sunday, defeating a breakaway faction of Suu Kyi’s own party, National League of Democracy (NLD).
India’s positive statement on the elections in Myanmar comes amid widespread condemnation of the polls by some western countries as “sham elections,” including the US and indicates a diplomatic tightrope walk by New Delhi by being cautious in its reaction. During his visit to India, US President Barack Obama exhorted India to speak up for democracy and human rights in the energy-rich southeast Asian country.
- India congratulates Suu Kyi on poll win - Apr 03, 2012
- India congratulates Suu Kyi on election win (Lead) - Apr 03, 2012
- India welcomes the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, says S.M.Krishna - Nov 13, 2010
- Suu Kyi wins landmark Myanmar by-polls (Roundup) - Apr 01, 2012
- Myanmar diaspora apprehensive yet hopeful after Suu Kyi's victory - Apr 02, 2012
- Suu Kyi campaigns for Myanmar by-elections - Feb 11, 2012
- EU praises Myanmar over political reforms - Mar 29, 2012
- Cameron to meet Suu Kyi in Myanmar - Apr 10, 2012
- Suu Kyi released -- finally (Lead) - Nov 13, 2010
- Burmese state media threatens Suu Kyi with 'tragic end' over ending sanctions stance - Feb 15, 2011
- Military rulers demand apology from Suu Kyi's party for supporting western sanctions - Feb 20, 2011
- Suu Kyi told PM about `difficulties' - May 30, 2012
- Manmohan arrives in Myanmar: First Indian PM to visit in 25 years (Second Lead) - May 27, 2012
- Suu Kyi's NLD to re-register - Nov 18, 2011
- Suu Kyi to visit Britain - Apr 18, 2012
Tags: aung san suu, aung san suu kyi, barack obama, breakaway faction, condemnation, democracy and human rights, democracy leader, external affairs minister, government of india, government of myanmar, krishna, military junta, national reconciliation, nld, san suu kyi, sham elections, southeast asian country, union solidarity, usdp, western countries