Date:10/11/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/11/10/stories/2002111001750900.htm

National

India invited for Oslo conference

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI Nov. 9. India is among the "key Governments" that have been invited to attend the conference in Oslo on November 25 to garner financial and political support for the peace process in Sri Lanka. According to sources, India was still in the process of considering the invitation. A decision was expected in the next few days, they added.

Other than India, the United Kingdom, the United States and several Scandinavian countries have been invited for the Oslo meeting. Clearly, the Norwegians, the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE are aware that India has a critical role, even from the sidelines, in any long-term settlement of the conflict. The invitation extended to India is a recognition of that role.