Modi’s Lanka policy leaves allies sore

Saturday, 19 July 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

TOI (CHENNAI): The handling of the Sri Lankan Tamil issue by the NDA Government is proving to be an embarrassment for its partners in Tamil Nadu. PMK and MDMK, which had strongly criticised the previous UPA Government for its “soft approach” towards Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, are now disappointed at the NDA Government’s Lanka diplomacy and its overtures to the island nation. The invitation extended to Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in was seen as the first ‘betrayal’. Then came media reports about External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s assurance to her Sri Lankan counterpart, G.L.Peiris, that the Modi Government would uphold the objections to a UN probe that India articulated in April while abstaining from a vote against Colombo. The External Affairs Ministry’s statement also confirmed that India would not support the UN probe. This came as a further shock, sources said. PMK Chief S. Ramadoss on Sunday said India’s decision is shocking. Sources in the party said former Union Health Minister and MP Anbumani Ramadoss would meet Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday. “Anbumani will lead a delegation to Delhi and demand that the Centre support the UN probe against Sri Lanka,” a PMK leader told TOI. Sources close to Vaiko said he was upset with the Centre’s approach on Lanka. “He was the one who promised the voters in Tamil Nadu that Modi government would take up the issue of welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils and the fishermen’s problems. He had criticised the previous UPA Government for its rapport with Rajapaksa,” a Vaiko associate said. The MDMK Leader is likely to meet Modi soon. Meanwhile, in a veiled threat that had undertones of secessionism, Vaiko said in a letter to Modi on Tuesday, “We have faith in the commitment towards unity and integrity of India. But, it is my painful duty to mention that a sense of despair will prevail in the minds of Tamils, particularly the younger generation, if justice is not rendered by the Indian Government in this grave matter on the tragedy of Sri Lankan Tamils.” Vaiko recalled the Tamil Nadu assembly resolution, unanimously adopted, to impose economic sanctions against Sri Lanka. “But, adding insult to injury, news has appeared that commercial and economic relationship between the two countries are to be enhanced and one of the largest apparel companies of Sri Lanka is going to invest $1billion in a SEZ at Visakhapatnam,” he said in the letter. “I request you to take appropriate steps to erase the tears of Tamils,” he said. Dravidar Kazhagam Leader K. Veeramani wondered if TN has accepted the NDA Government’s stand on the Lanka issue. “The NDA Government has been following the UPA’s polices,” he said. Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has thanked the Modi Government for helping the release of a number of TN fishermen as and when they were detained by the Lankan Navy and also for its attempts to sort out the state’s demand that the Katchatheevu islet should be retrieved.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The invitation extended to Rajapaksa for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in was seen as the first ‘betrayal’