India to convey concern on insurgents to neighbouring nations

NAY PYI TAW: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to raise India's concerns with the leaders of neighbouring countries over possible trouble from insurgent groups operating from there in north eastern states in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls.

Official sources said Singh is expected to convey apprehensions voiced by north eastern states of Indian insurgent groups operating in Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan planning to stir up trouble before the polls are held.

The sources said India is already in touch with these countries.

Myanmar, they said, was cooperating with India on this issue. "We are cooperating and working together on this," they said.

Ahead of Singh's meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit here, the sources said India has "very good security cooperation with Bangladesh," adding this will continue with whichever government is in power in that country.

Relations are going well with the Hasina government and this will continue, the sources said.

Referring to Nepal, they termed India's relationship with the neighbouring country as "substantive". Noting the democratic transition in the country, the sources said India's relations was not one that "turns on and off".

New Delhi has got assurance from the leadership of successive Nepalese government that its territory will not be allowed to be used for anti-India activities. This follows India voicing serious concerns over reports of Pakistan's ISI using Nepal's territory to target India.

Singh is expected to have discussions over the entire gamut of bilateral ties when he meets his new Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala here.

The Prime Minister will have separate meetings with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and Myanmar President U Thein Sein.

He will also have a meeting tomorrow with Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is chairperson and secretary general of the opposition party National League for Democracy.