India denies military assistance to Sri Lanka
Dated 30/8/2006
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In a significant move, the Prime Minister announced Wednesday that India would not extend any military aid to the Sri lankan Government, which is embroiled in a bloody ethnic conflict against Tamils in the Island.
While India was for long maintaining a steadfast neutral approach, Sri Lanka's perceived closeness to China and Pakistan and the public opinion within India opposing Sri Lanka's bloody tactics may well have caused India to come out strongly against the Sri Lankan Government.
Both Sri Lanka and LTTE have been in close touch with New Delhi, trying to woo the Congress lead UPA Govt. to their respective side as the ceasefire lies in tatters and conflict escalating every day.
Sri lankan Armed Forces have recently been charged with the murder of 17 French Aid Workers that took place early this month.
"India will not do anything that will strengthen Sri Lankan military," Dr Singh assured Mr Vaiko, who called on the Prime Minister here.
The Prime Minister also accepted another demand of the MDMK delegation, which included its four MPs, that he meet the 22 Tamil MPs of Sri Lanka, Mr Vaiko told reporters.
Dr Singh told Mr Vaiko and his party colleagues that he was willing to meet the Tamil MPs of Sri Lanka if a request to the effect was received from them.
The MDMK delegation met the Prime Minister after the demonstration outside the Sri Lanka High Commission to protest against the military offensive against the LTTE. During the 90-minute demonstration, they also demanded that Sri Lanka immediately pull out its forces from the Jaffna area.
The MDMK delegation submitted a memorandum to Dr Singh, demanding that all medical and other humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka be routed through international organisations such as the Red Cross.
They also wanted India to give asylum to all the Tamils from Sri Lanka and raise the financial assistance to such refugees.
The meeting between Dr Singh and the MDMK delegation, held at the Prime Minister's 7 Race Course residence, lasted about 20 minutes.
