(October 17, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) Worried over the "humanitarian effect" of continuing conflict in Sri Lanka, India yesterday (Oct 16.) vowed to do all "in its power" to ensure a political settlement to the ethnic problem in the island nation.
Amid mounting pressure from political parties in Tamil Nadu and outside, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Sri Lanka should ensure that the rights of its civilians are respected and they are made immune from attacks.
Mukherjee issued a statement a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the situation in Sri Lanka and asked Colombo to find a negotiated political solution rather than looking for a military victory.
"The situation in Sri Lanka remains a matter of grave concern to us in India. We are particularly worried about the humanitarian effect of the continuing conflict on civilians who have been caught up in circumstances not of their making," he said in a statement.
"It is essential that their (citizen's) rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them," he said.
Mukherjee said India has consistently made it clear that a "return to normalcy cannot be brought about by military means or battle-field victories. What is required in Sri Lanka is a peaceful negotiated political settlement which allows each community to realise its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka." He said the government of India "will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the government of Sri Lanka at several levels." - Sri Lanka Guardian
Amid mounting pressure from political parties in Tamil Nadu and outside, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Sri Lanka should ensure that the rights of its civilians are respected and they are made immune from attacks.
Mukherjee issued a statement a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over the situation in Sri Lanka and asked Colombo to find a negotiated political solution rather than looking for a military victory.
"The situation in Sri Lanka remains a matter of grave concern to us in India. We are particularly worried about the humanitarian effect of the continuing conflict on civilians who have been caught up in circumstances not of their making," he said in a statement.
"It is essential that their (citizen's) rights be respected, that they be immune from attacks and that food and other essential supplies be allowed to reach them," he said.
Mukherjee said India has consistently made it clear that a "return to normalcy cannot be brought about by military means or battle-field victories. What is required in Sri Lanka is a peaceful negotiated political settlement which allows each community to realise its own potential within the framework of a united Sri Lanka." He said the government of India "will do all in its power to achieve this goal, to ameliorate the humanitarian conditions in Sri Lanka and has been making representations to the government of Sri Lanka at several levels." - Sri Lanka Guardian
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