New Delhi, January 22
India today impressed upon Sri Lanka the need to do more to rehabilitate the Tamils displaced due to the prolonged conflict in the island nation as the two countries signed accords on combating international terrorism and drug trafficking and avoidance of double taxation.

Addressing a joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart GL Peiris, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid stressed the need for continued dialogue between Colombo and the representatives of the Sri Lankan Tamil community with a view to ensuring a future for the community that was marked by equality, dignity, justice and self-respect.

He also hoped that there would be early progress on meaningful devolution of power in the island nation building upon the 13th amendment and leading to national reconciliation. Earlier, the two ministers co-chaired the eighth meeting of the India-Lanka Joint Commission.

Asked about his government’s stand on the demand for repealing the 13th amendment, Peiris asserted that it was part of the Sri Lankan Constitution though there were different views on it within the country. There were people in the government who wanted it to be repealed while another powerful section in the government was for strengthening the 13th amendment. Since the government in Colombo was a coalition dispensation, it was seeking to address the different viewpoints. He also stated that the Sri Lankan Navy had been instructed firmly that it should not fire at fishermen who stray into the Lankan waters.

Khurshid noted that Sri Lanka had gone through an ‘extremely painful experience’ of a prolonged conflict. Rehabilitation of the displaced people was a challenging task. He said he had discussed with Peiris the broad contours of the rehabilitation process. “Many things have been done...a lot more needs to be done. We are willing to help (Sri Lanka) any which way. There is no reason for us to express dissatisfaction.”

The Indian minister said the two countries were discussing finalisation of major mutually beneficial projects in power and oil and gas sectors. They were also looking forward to enhanced cooperation in new and renewable energy, civil nuclear energy and space technology in future.

Khurshid noted that the two countries enjoyed a growing defence relationship built on extensive training and Service-to-Service linkages.