By IANS
New Delhi : India Monday sought release of political dissidents imprisoned by Myanmar’s ruling military junta as well as an inquiry into the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protest by security forces.
“We want political reforms (in Myanmar) and the process of reconciliation has to start immediately and it has to be inclusive,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters on the sidelines of a conference.
The military government seems to have softened its hardline position lately, allowing the visit of UN human rights rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro to investigate the violent incidents and arrest of activists, who had previously been stopped by the regime.
There was also a meeting between the imprisoned opposition leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi and the liaison minister Friday, which raised hopes of some kind of compromise being reached between the two sides.
“As far as possible, important political prisoners should be released. There should be some sort of inquiries into the excesses which were resorted to as it is being alleged by the media and other sources,” he said.
Mukherjee’s remarks came just ahead of his meeting with Singapore’s Foreign Minister George Yeo, in which they were also expected to discuss the Myanmar situation.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Singapore next month to attend the East Asia Summit that convenes Nov 21. Myanmar is expected to figure prominently on the summit agenda, with the leaders expected to search for ways to nudge Myanmar’s military rulers on the path towards democracy.