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Lanka briefs India on steps to promote reconciliation
Ashok Tuteja
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 29
External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid was today briefed by his Sri Lankan counterpart GL Peiris on the steps taken by Colombo to promote reconciliation after the end of the civil war in the island nation in the backdrop of the upcoming meeting of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March.

The two ministers also discussed issues related to fishermen and various development partnership projects being undertaken by India, especially in the Tamil-dominated Northern Province.

The Lankan minister is learnt to have explained to Khurshid how his government was trying to bring the Tamil minority into the national mainstream and also drew his attention to the successful holding of the elections in the Northern Province.

Sri Lanka is upset over the fact that the US proposes to yet again bring a resolution before the UNHRC, criticising Colombo for its human rights record. The resolution is expected to get full support of the European Union (EU) and the UK. This will be the third consecutive year that such a resolution would be brought at the UNHRC against Lanka. On both occasions, India too had voted against Lanka. This time around, Colombo is trying to prevail upon New Delhi not to support the resolution.

Sources said India had yet not decided which way it would vote at the UNHRC. New Delhi’s position, however, would be based on the wording of the text as well as the domestic political situation in the country which would be in the election mode.

The two ministers, meanwhile, assessed positively the recent meeting in Chennai between the fishermen associations as a first step in the right direction and agreed to consider the proposals put forward by the fishermen associations.

Khurshid emphasised that India attached the highest importance to the safety and well-being of Indian fishermen and thanked his Lankan counterpart for his personal efforts in ensuring the release of Indian fishermen.

Fishermen’s safety vital

• External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Sri Lankan counterpart GL Peiris said the recent meeting in Chennai between the fishermen associations was a positive step. The two sides agreed to consider the proposals put forward by the fishermen associations
• Khurshid emphasised that India attached the highest importance to the safety and well-being of Indian fishermen and thanked his Lankan counterpart for his personal efforts in ensuring the release of Indian fishermen.