India wakes up to Chinese, Pak hold in Lanka
The Manmohan Singh government, which allowed its policy towards Sri Lanka to be dictated by the preferences and prejudices of its southern allies, has finally woken up to the threat that Colombo’s closeness with China and Pakistan poses to Indian ...
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: The Manmohan Singh government, which allowed its policy towards Sri Lanka to be dictated by the preferences and prejudices of its southern allies, has finally woken up to the threat that Colombo’s closeness with China and Pakistan poses to Indian interests.
National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, who acknowledged New Delhi’s growing concern over the development, said Sri Lanka should not seek weapons from Pakistan or China.
“We are a big power in the region. We don’t want the Sri Lankan government to go to Pakistan or China. Whatever may be their requirement, the Sri Lankan government should come to us,” Mr Narayanan said after a meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi.
Sri Lanka had recently inked an agreement with China for the development of the Hambantota port. Security experts here see it as part of Beijing’s attempt to contain India in the Indian Ocean. It has already established its presence in Gwadar in Pakistan.
That the Tamil parties are still resisting moves to supply arms to Sri Lanka was evident when the NSA said that India will not provide weapons with offensive capabilities to Colombo.
There was opposition from the Tamil parties over supplying radars to Colombo. “Radars are seen as a defensive capability. Hence, we have provided them to the Sri Lankan government,” the NSA clarified. On coordinated patrolling along the Tamil Nadu coast to protect fishermen, the NSA said that he would check with the Navy if there was a problem with functioning under a unified command. “I think it is a good idea,” he said.
Mr Narayanan said he had discussed with Mr Karunanidhi the problems faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen. He had also indicated that the Centre would tighten coastal security and ensure protection of fishermen to the fullest extent possible. When asked whether it was true that five fishermen were killed by the LTTE, he said the state government’s version on the issue was correct. The NSA also reiterated that there could not be joint patrolling by the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies.
National Security Advisor M K Narayanan, who acknowledged New Delhi’s growing concern over the development, said Sri Lanka should not seek weapons from Pakistan or China.
“We are a big power in the region. We don’t want the Sri Lankan government to go to Pakistan or China. Whatever may be their requirement, the Sri Lankan government should come to us,” Mr Narayanan said after a meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi.
Sri Lanka had recently inked an agreement with China for the development of the Hambantota port. Security experts here see it as part of Beijing’s attempt to contain India in the Indian Ocean. It has already established its presence in Gwadar in Pakistan.
That the Tamil parties are still resisting moves to supply arms to Sri Lanka was evident when the NSA said that India will not provide weapons with offensive capabilities to Colombo.
There was opposition from the Tamil parties over supplying radars to Colombo. “Radars are seen as a defensive capability. Hence, we have provided them to the Sri Lankan government,” the NSA clarified. On coordinated patrolling along the Tamil Nadu coast to protect fishermen, the NSA said that he would check with the Navy if there was a problem with functioning under a unified command. “I think it is a good idea,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The air capabilities of the LTTE is also worrying for the Centre. There are already reports that the LTTE has developed links with terror and secessionist groups operating in India. Security experts are of the view that maritime cooperation and intelligence contacts with Colombo will help to contain the threat from the LTTE.Mr Narayanan said he had discussed with Mr Karunanidhi the problems faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen. He had also indicated that the Centre would tighten coastal security and ensure protection of fishermen to the fullest extent possible. When asked whether it was true that five fishermen were killed by the LTTE, he said the state government’s version on the issue was correct. The NSA also reiterated that there could not be joint patrolling by the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
