India under fire after giving Burma's leader a state welcome

PHOTO
Burma's military ruler General Than Shwe and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrive for delegation level talks in New Delhi. [AFP]
Last Updated: 5 hours 59 minutes ago

International Human rights groups have strongly criticised India for giving Burma's military leader the honour of a state visit.

They say it helps legitimise Burma's military government, which has been internationally condemned for human rights abuses.

Than Shwe has arrived in Hyderabad on the latest leg of a five-day visit to the nation.

Scores of pro democracy activists including members of the local Burmese community were determined to make their concerns about the military regime heard and protested in New Delhi during the leader's visit.

Senior researcher for Human Rights Watch, Dave Mathieson, who is based in Thailand has told Asia Pacific India has a responsibility to persuade Burma's junta to do more to restore democracy in its nation.

"India really has a role to speak up more for genuine elections and genuine respect for human rights and on Burma it has just fallen completely flat on that . It has been very very quiet on the release of political prisoners and the gross short comings of the so called election process in Burma."