Colombo: Sri Lanka today said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision not to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) summit in Colombo was not a setback and it understood the domestic political compulsions behind the move.
"It will not affect the success of CHOGM," Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister GL Peiris said after Singh wrote a letter to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying he will be unable to personally attend the summit from November 15.
"The Indian Prime Minister was invited. Sri Lankans would have been happier if he came," said Peiris.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission confirmed that Dr Singh's letter addressed to Rajapakse has been delivered to the President's office.
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will now head the Indian delegation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on November 15-16.
Dr Singh became the second head of state after the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stay away from the meeting.
"It will not affect the success of CHOGM," Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister GL Peiris said after Singh wrote a letter to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying he will be unable to personally attend the summit from November 15.
"The Indian Prime Minister was invited. Sri Lankans would have been happier if he came," said Peiris.
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission confirmed that Dr Singh's letter addressed to Rajapakse has been delivered to the President's office.
Advertisement
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will now head the Indian delegation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on November 15-16.
Advertisement
Dr Singh became the second head of state after the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stay away from the meeting.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Hard Work Doesn't...": Hardik Pandya's Viral Post On 'Difficult Journey' Ahead Of Sri Lanka Tour India vs Sri Lanka Squad Announcement LIVE Updates: Report Provides Update On Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah Rohit Sharma's Impression In Suryakumar Yadav Pipping Hardik Pandya For T20I Captaincy? Report Makes Bold Claim Travel Influencer Aanvi Kamdar Dies After Falling Off A Waterfall Near Mumbai Amid Huge Row, Karnataka Pauses Bill For Reservation In Private Sector Firms Puja Khedkar Mother Manorama Khedkar, Who Was Seen Waving Gun At Farmers, Arrested World's Largest Isolated Tribe Makes Rare Appearance In New Footage Puja Khedkar's Father Was Suspended Twice On Extortion Complaints Meet Gagan, A Daily Wager Who Cracked IIT Despite All Odds Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.