Indian PM calls for greater defence cooperation

by Manjula FERNANDO

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reiterated that in the post conflict era the defence of India and Sri Lanka must be intertwined, while extending warm wishes to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his forthcoming second swearing-in, when the two Heads of State met over lunch at Indian PM’s Race Course official residence Friday, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga said.

Subsequent to the 19th Commonwealth games closing ceremony in New Delhi which President Rajapaksa attended as the guest of honour, a luncheon meeting was held by the Indian Premier for his Sri Lankan counterpart where the Indian leader warmly held the President’s hands and wished him luck on his second term.

Indian PM said that in the post conflict era, defence of the two countries must be inter-twined. In fact, India is willing to work closely with our defence authorities, Weeratunga said.

The Indian Prime Minister appreciated the work done in relation to the resettlement of the IDPs. President Rajapaksa explained that the extensive work done for rehabilitation has contributed towards this achievement. However, the delay is due to extensive demining which is being carried out, the President stressed.

The discussion also centred around the political settlement. The Indian PM emphasised that the Tamil National Alliance must work with the Government. to work towards a settlement. The President responded that he has extended an open invitation to the TNA. Since the TNA leadership had been out of the country during the last 2-3 months, he pointed out that there could be no dialogue. The Indian PM has expressed willingness to celebrate the 2600th year of the Buddha’s birth, which falls next year, in collaboration with Sri Lanka. The President invited the Indian PM to visit Sri Lanka next year and there was a positive response.

They discussed a host of other issues including the India-funded 50,000 housing unit project for IDPs. The project is to be officially inaugurated in the latter part of next month when Indian leaders arrive here for the Joint Commission sessions.

The President met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Britain’s Prince Edward who was present to declare the games closed on behalf of the Queen, and the Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari at the closing ceremony.

The Indian leaders were also briefed at the meeting that of the nearly 300,000 IDPs there were only 20,000 still in camps and the Government’s target is to resettle all displaced by the end of this year.

“The two countries also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security and to continue implementing the agreements reached at the bilateral meeting between the two leaders last June,” the President’s media said.

When the subject of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came up for discussion, the Indian PM categorically said that our President could move at a pace convenient to Sri Lankan authorities so that it would be a win-win situation. The meeting was attended by Indian Home Affairs Minister P.Chidambaram, External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna, National Security Advisor M.K.Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao. Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris, President’s Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga, External Affairs Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe, Presidential Advisor, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam were among the Sri Lankan delegation.

President Rajapaksa reached New Delhi on Thursday and returned on Friday.