Chiang Mai (Thailand), Oct 12: India today denied media reports that the governor of Bali had written to it requesting cooperation in protection and promotion of Hindu culture among younger generations in Bali in Indonesia. “No such communication was received” by the government, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said. According to media reports the Indian External Affairs Ministry had asked Bali Governor Dewa Made Bertha to use the phrase ‘Indian culture’ rather than ‘Hindu culture’ since India was a secular country. Bertha had called on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on October 07 in Bali on the sidelines of the second India-Asean summit there. He had thanked Vajpayee for all the cooperation by India, including scholarships for students of Bali in Sanskrit and Indian studies. The spokesman said the Bali governor had requested the the Prime Minister for additional scholarships for students in technical education.
Vajpayee in turn had assured Bertha on possible cooperation and instructed the Indian ambassador H K Singh to implement the request for additional scholarships in technical education.
Bureau Report