The Hindu Business Line : Govt urged not to recognise Fiji regime

THE Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio) has said that it would campaign against official Indian recognition to the present regime in the tiny island nation of Fiji.

"We have a letter from the deposed Prime Minister of Fiji, Mr Mahendra Pal Chaudhry, requesting the Indian Government not to allow the reopening of the country's mission in New Delhi. That would amount to recognition to the illegal regime in the country and prove detrimental to the interests of the PIO in Fiji," Mr Ram Lakhina, Chairman of Gopio, told Business Line.

Mr Chaudhry's elected government had been overthrown in a coup in May 2000. At that time, India had decided not to intervene in the internal affairs of the country on the belief that it could cause a backlash and prove more damaging for the PIO.

Gopio is organising a two-day convention in the Capital "in conjunction" with the three-day Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas event sponsored by the Indian Government. The conclave"seeks to highlight the developmental aspects" through understanding the role non-resident Indians and PIO can play in the country's future, he said.

Gopio has regional chapters in 35 cities across the world and is planning to capitalise on the convergence of the Indian diaspora in Delhi for the Pravasi Diwas to augment its membership and drum up support for its campaign.

"We are a non-partisan, secular global organisation engaged in promoting the well-being of PIO. The emphasis is on mobilising Indian origin communities by creating a network of people across the world," he said.

Mr Lakhina said that his organisation had adopted the Rotary Club model and was planning to grow through creation of chapters in most centres where there was a PIO population.

The organisation was seeking to promote greater cultural and business ties among the PIO.

Asked about the PIO card scheme, Mr Lakhina said that it failed to take off due to the "high cost" of $1,000. But with the Government reducing the fee for the PIO card to $300 and offering dual citizenship to PIOs in 16 countries, the issue would get resolved, he said.

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