European Parliament Set To Discuss Manipur Violence; India Says ‘Internal Matter’

New Delhi: A day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to land in Paris for a two-day visit, the European Parliament is set to debate the ethnic violence in Manipur at a session in the French city of Strasbourg.

Members of six parliamentary groups — drawn from leftist, right, centre-right, conservative and Christian representations — have submitted motions for an urgent debate on the situation in India’s northeastern state at a plenary session in Strasbourg during July 10-13.

The debate, on motions seeking a European Parliament resolution on the theme ‘India, the situation in Manipur’, is likely to be held this evening. It will be followed by a vote on the proposed resolution.

The awkward development couldn’t have come at a more inopportune moment for India as PM Modi – invited by French President Emmanuel Macron — will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

Responding to European Parliament’s move, Indian government today asserted that the Manipur issue is an internal matter.

“We are aware (of what is happening in European Parliament) and we have made a reach out to the concerned EU parliamentarians but we have made it very clear to them this is a matter totally and absolutely internal to India,” said Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra.

According to some media reports, India has engaged with political lobbying agency Alber & Geiger to persuade European parliamentarians to withdraw their motions.

Kwatra, however, didn’t say anything on the matter.

Manipur has been rocked by ethnic clashes between Hindu Meitei majority and Christian Kuki minority groups which broke out in early May. Over 130 people have been killed so far and thousands displaced.