Friendly ties with Sri Lanka in India's interest: B S Gnanadesikan, TNCC leader

CHENNAI: Amidst growing opposition from parties in Tamil Nadu to the invitation to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi's swearing in as Prime Minister, Congress' state unit today virtually defended it, saying the Lankan leader was the only option to discuss issues related to welfare of minority Tamils in the island.

"Congress has no second opinion on issues like equal political status to Tamils, implementation of 13th Amendment to Sri Lankan constitution (on devolution of powers) and probe into (alleged) war crimes. At the same time, if these have to be implemented, we have to talk to the Sri Lankan President only," TNCC President B S Gnanadesikan said.

He was responding to reporters' queries on Modi inviting Rajapaksa, which has been opposed by some political parties including DMK and MDMK, the latter a BJP ally.

Gnanadesikan insisted that Sri Lanka was "our neighbour" and a SAARC member therefore it was in India's interest that friendly ties were maintained with that nation. "That is diplomacy," he said.

He expressed hope that the BJP would continue to work with the 'same concern' for Tamils as the previous Congress-led UPA had done.