Indian member of parliament Sharad Joshi challenged India’s prime minister to justify the country’s policy of engagement with Burma during a parliamentary session in New Delhi yesterday.

Joshi, a member of India’s upper house, asked prime minister Manmohan Singh to explain why India entered into agreements with the Burmese military while they continued to suppress Burma’s democracy movement during a parliamentary review of external affairs.

“In the case of [Burma] the military junta has taken over and they don’t appear to have any intention of restoration of democracy,” Joshi told Mizzima.

“My question is that why should India make agreements with [the military regime of Burma].”

Prime minister Singh defended India’s stance on Burma saying while the Indian government had a good relationship with the Burmese military, they were also pushing for reforms in the country.

“The prime minister said that we have to keep our relationship. But we are trying to talk to [the junta] for the restoration of democracy in Burma and we are also practically trying to get the release of Aung San Suu Kyi,” Joshi said.

Joshi, a member of the Indian Parliamentarians Forum for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma, said he was also opposed to Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam’s visit to Burma early this month.

During Kalam’s visit to Rangoon he signed several bilateral agreements with the head of Burma’s military senior general Than Shwe. Kalam did not meet detained National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“I can understand that [Indian President] went [to Burma] but why is it he did not at least see the leader of the people of democratic movement in jail. And if he is not prepared to push for such a visit then he should simple refuse to go [to Burma],” Joshi said.