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.