Rao's visit to Malaysia protested

Rao's visit to Malaysia protested

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's trip to Malaysia to enhance economic ties was marred yesterday by a fundamentalist group protesting against his failure to help Moslems in India.

Subky Latif, the information chief of the opposition Parti Islam (PAS), said Rao should be reminded he had not fulfilled his pledge to rebuild the Babri mosque which was "destroyed three years ago by militant Hindus."

"Our Moslem brethren are under constant fear from Hindu chauvinism and militancy since the Babri mosque episode," Subky, secretary of the party's foreign affairs bureau said.

While PAS officials regretted Rao's visit, the Indian prime minister held a private meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad, before witnessing the signing of several bilateral trade and investment accords and joint venture business deals.

The 74-year old Indian leader arrived Wednesday for a four-day official visit at the head of a 140-member delegation of officials and corporate leaders.