India should speak up for democratic forces in Myanmar: Sen

New Delhi, Dec 26 (PTI) Noble laureate Amartya Sen has
expressed displeasure over India's silence on the issue of
restoring democracy in Myanmar and supported US President
Barack Obama's criticism of New Delhi not speaking for Aung
San Suu Kyi and democratic forces there.
"India should speak up. It is for India to take
action. The US has woken up. I would like it (New Delhi) to
take more action. I would like to have speech and action from
both (countries)."
Sen was also critical of the reports that India is
maintaining silence in return for support to the military
junta there, to curb Bodo and Mizo rebels in the Northeast.
Asked if India's stand was understandable or a
Faustian bargain, he said, "It is not understandable. It is a
terrible bargain".
The Nobel Laureate told in an interview on a
television show 'Devil's Advocate'.
Sen was reminded of his remarks that his heart "broke"
to see the Prime Minister of his "democratic country"
welcome the "butchers from Myanmar".
Asked if he raised this issue with Indian Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, the renowned economist said, "I told
him. He listened to it. He didn't reply. I wasn't saying
change the policy right now. It would be something I hope he
would consider. He would think about and place it before the
Government."
The 77-year-old Nobel Prize winner also expressed
confidence that the dictators in Burma would eventually
"disappear". But the silence of India and other countries like
Thailand and China would "continue to linger for long", he
remarked. PTI SGI
HMI