NEWSLINKS
US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

Rediff Shopping

Shop & gift from thousands of products!   Books     Music       Apparel   Jewellery   Flowers   More..      Safe Shopping

Ousted Fiji premier to be treated as state guest

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

Mahender Pal Chaudhary, the deposed prime minister of Fiji, who will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday, would be treated as any head of state on a private visit.

The Indian establishment has resolved to put up a show of strength during Chaudhary's visit in an effort to send across a strong message to Fiji's new government.

The prime minister without a country would be calling on almost every important Constitutional functionary, besides undertaking pleasure trips to hill stations and visiting the Taj Mahal. Also, on the itinerary is a heroic trip to his native village in Haryana.

The visit could only worsen the relations between India and Fiji, where Indian migrants, comprising almost half the population, are facing an onslaught by natives. Fiji is expected to shelve its proposal, mooted during Chaudhary's regime, to open an embassy in New Delhi.

Announcing the visit of 'Prime Minister Mahender Pal Chaudhary of the Peoples' Coalition government of Fiji', an external affairs ministry spokesman said he would be 'calling on' the President and the prime minister. The external affairs minister and the Lok Sabha Speaker, among others, are expected to 'call on him'.

"The visit is being treated at par with that of any prime minister on a private visit," R S Jassal, the spokesman said. It would last till August 26.

After his arrival on Wednesday evening, Chaudhary would leave for Rohtak on August 17. He would be 'facilitated and honoured' by the Maharishi Dayanand University.

On August 18, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh will call on him in the morning. Later, Chaudhary will call on President K R Narayanan at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The prime minister would host a luncheon for Chaudhary.

Later in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi will call on the ousted prime minister.

On August 19, Chaudhary will leave for his ancestral village, Bahu Jamalpur in Rohtak district. The village is gearing up to give him a hero's welcome.

Chaudhary will visit the Taj Mahal on August 20 and will spend the next three days in Chandigarh and Shimla. On August 23, the chief ministers of Haryana and Punjab will call on him.

Chaudhary was the first prime minister of Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, of Indian origin. He and 17 other hostages were released on July 13 after 56 days in captivity.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report