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Senior diplomat to represent India during papal functions

Indian Ambassador to Switzerland and Vatican K P Balakrishnan will represent New Delhi in all functions, including the inter-religious meeting, during Pope John Paul II's four-day visit.

Senior officials at the ministry of external affairs said that ''as a host country, India will fulfil all obligations to provide conducive atmosphere and fool-proof security to him.''

The ministry had earlier stated that its advice to Vice President Krishan Kant not to attend the inter-religious functions was in consonance with the policy adopted during the Pope's 1986 visit.

The Bajrang Dal meanwhile has expressed unhappiness over the proposed state reception for the Pope. It warned that it would begin its ''second phase of action'' if the pontiff did not apologise for the ''atrocities'' committed against the Goans.

Bajrang Dal national convenor Dr Surendra Jain said according a state reception to the Pope would send wrong signals ''since he was coming here only to address a religious gathering.''

''Sometime back when Nepal's King Birendra came to India under similar circumstances to address a religious gathering, he was not given a state reception nor did any of our national leaders call on him even though he heads a Hindu country,'' he said.

He said the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had sent a formal request to the organisers of the Pope's visit for an appointment with him to explain their viewpoint. But there has been no response so far.

The VHP's demand, Dr Jain continued, was perfectly justified because the Pope had earlier apologised in the United States and Yugoslavia and to the Jews.

He claimed the VHP had won ''half the battle'' after the recent statement by Christian leaders that the Pope cannot apologise for something done 300 years ago. ''At least they have admitted that atrocities had been committed and there had been forced conversions in Goa at that time. This is contrary to what they had been saying so far,'' he said.

UNI

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