The crisis over the resolution on Sri Lanka, expected to come up at the UN later this week, seems to have blown over for the time being with a ministerial delegation of UPA led by finance minister P Chidambaram meeting M Karunanidhi, the chief of key ally DMK on Monday in Chennai. Chidambaram was accompanied by defence minister AK Antony and health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. After the meeting, Karunanidhi told mediapersons that the ministers have assured him of finding an amicable solution to the crisis. Azad on the other hand, said the DMK leader has suggested certain amendments in the resolution and they would convey the same to the prime minister.
Meanwhile, the government on Monday asked its envoy in Geneva to return for consultations on the US resolution on Sri Lanka. ‘Dilip Sinha, ambassador and permanent representative of India to the UN in Geneva, will come back to New Delhi on Tuesday to brief the government on the resolution,’ external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. The issue has gained urgency with political parties and activists in Tamil Nadu urging the government to back the resolution — like last year — and even amend it to denounce Colombo for the ‘genocide’ of Tamils.
The resolution is expected to come up for voting at the UNHRC session on 21 March.
Meanwhile, the government on Monday asked its envoy in Geneva to return for consultations on the US resolution on Sri Lanka. ‘Dilip Sinha, ambassador and permanent representative of India to the UN in Geneva, will come back to New Delhi on Tuesday to brief the government on the resolution,’ external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said. The issue has gained urgency with political parties and activists in Tamil Nadu urging the government to back the resolution — like last year — and even amend it to denounce Colombo for the ‘genocide’ of Tamils.
The resolution is expected to come up for voting at the UNHRC session on 21 March.