LONDON/NEW DELHI, Sept 27 � India and Britain were involved in a row today on who would open the Commonwealth Games with the British side saying Prince Charles would do so but the Indians still wanting to do the honours, reports PTI.
Sources said that since Queen is not coming to the Games and in protocol the President is higher, India would like Pratibha Patil to open the sporting event.
They cited the example of the Commonwealth Games held in Malaysia in 1998 where the Queen was represented by a Royal family member and the Malaysian King opened the Games. Likewise, India, sources said, feels that since the Queen would not be present here and only the Prince would be representing her, the President should have the honour of opening the Games as she is ahead in protocol.
Sources said possibly Charles would read the Baton message after which the President would also speak, declaring the Games open.
Charles� office Clarence House issued a statement, asserting that the heir-to-the-throne will inaugurate it.
�There is no row. Both The Prince of Wales and the President of India will have a prominent role in the opening ceremony in Delhi. The Queen has asked The Prince of Wales to represent her at the opening of the Commonwealth Games.
�We cannot be specific about the choreography but The Prince will read out the Queen�s baton message, ending by declaring the Games open,� a statement from the Clarence House read.
