Singh to ignore Tamil opposition to Sri Lanka visit
1 Nov 2013 12:11 AM GMT
Though the powerful Tamil lobby within the Congress, too, is in favour of the PM boycotting the meet, sources in ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, ‘Stakes were too high internationally to afford absence for the sake of regional political consideration.’
Officially, the government on Thursday said that no decision has been taken so far on whether the PM will attend the summit. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, an MEA spokesperson said, ‘The decision in this regard will be taken after considering all aspects, including national interest and international obligations.’ The spokesperson’s comment comes a day after the Congress core committee met to discuss the strategy to be adopted on the contentious issue.
The only other country which has decided not to attend the meet is Canada, which continues to have a large number of LTTE supporters, who want an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan state during the campaign to crush down the Tamil rebels.
‘India’s position is different. Sri Lanka is our next door neighbour and strategic partner. Any attempt to isolate Lanka would in a way allow China to fish in troubled waters,’ said a ministry official.
According to agency reports, DMK chief M Karunanidhi told reporters in Chennai ‘if the PM attended the meet, his party would have to face the consequences.’ The AIADMK government had moved a resolution in the state assembly, which got support from members of all the political parties, demanding that India boycott the meet.
Officially, the government on Thursday said that no decision has been taken so far on whether the PM will attend the summit. Briefing reporters in New Delhi, an MEA spokesperson said, ‘The decision in this regard will be taken after considering all aspects, including national interest and international obligations.’ The spokesperson’s comment comes a day after the Congress core committee met to discuss the strategy to be adopted on the contentious issue.
The only other country which has decided not to attend the meet is Canada, which continues to have a large number of LTTE supporters, who want an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan state during the campaign to crush down the Tamil rebels.
‘India’s position is different. Sri Lanka is our next door neighbour and strategic partner. Any attempt to isolate Lanka would in a way allow China to fish in troubled waters,’ said a ministry official.
According to agency reports, DMK chief M Karunanidhi told reporters in Chennai ‘if the PM attended the meet, his party would have to face the consequences.’ The AIADMK government had moved a resolution in the state assembly, which got support from members of all the political parties, demanding that India boycott the meet.
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