No joint session for Bush

The US Prez is expected to visit India in March, but may not address Parliament session, reports Nilova R Chaudhury.

US President George W Bush is expected to visit India in the first week of March but there are indications that -- unlike his predecessor Bill Clinton -- he will not address the joint session of Parliament.

HT Image

The reason: the Left allies of the UPA have threatened to raise objections and Washington does not want any "embarrassment" during the visit.

The Left parties have problems with the US policies on Iraq and Iran and have indicated that they would not welcome Bush in Parliament. However, sources said Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, despite his political affiliation, has "no problem" if the government requests Bush to address the joint session.

Negotiations are still going on to fine-tune the details of the visit. Among the dates being spoken of are March 1 and March 4 and 5.