New Delhi, Nov 21: India has decided not to have any political or headquarter-level representation in the donor conference in Oslo next week in support of the ongoing peace process in the island nation but may ask someone from the Indian mission there to participate. ''It is my understanding that there will be no political level or headquarter-level representation,'' an external affairs ministry spokesman told reporters. Asked whether the Indian ambassador to Norway, Gopalkrishna Gandhi would be asked to represent New Delhi, he said ''we will take a view on what level of representation'' at the local level would be.

He said it was customary to invite diplomats on such occasions as was done in Thailand where Sri Lankan government held crucial talks with LTTE. India has serious reservations about joining the "peace support meeting" organised by peace facilitator Norway, as it will then be sharing a platform with LTTE, a proscribed organisation.

Sri Lankan economic reforms minister Milinda Moragoda, one of the government negotiators in the ongoing peace talks, met External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha to persuade New Delhi to participate.

Sri Lanka is hoping that at least the Indian envoy will be present. The US, Britain, Canada and Australia will be represented at a high level in Oslo. Us Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Britain's overseas development minister Claire short are expected to signal the strong support of the west to the peace process.

Bureau Report