Distinct stances
 2013-03-18
With a few more days left before the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka is tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, India yesterday hinted it will favour an international probe into alleged war crime charges. India’s stance is in stark contrast to the assurance given by the newly elected Chinese President Xi Jinping, who told his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mahinda Rajapaksa, his country will back Sri Lanka in the event a vote is called on the resolution.
Indian Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, addressing a public meeting on the budget in his home town in Karaikudi, yesterday, said, “I’m not the Prime Minister nor am I the External Affairs Minister. I’m confident that if phrases in the UN resolution sought credible, independent, international probe, India would support it.”
The minister also sought to assure students who are gearing up to organize massive protests from Monday (18) across Tamil Nadu, demanding affirmative action against Colombo at the UN session. “I’m feeding you my confidence and you feed this confidence to our students,” Chidambaram said.
This comes a day after the UPA’s southern ally, the DMK, threatened to pull out its ministers from the Union Cabinet, if India did not amend the resolution to incorporate the demand for international probe and time bound action against those who may be found guilty of war crimes.
With 18 MPs, Karunanidhi’s party, the DMK, is the second biggest constituent of the Congress-led UPA, providing crucial support to a government that has, of late, been tested vigorously by several coalition partners.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Government, which has so far been non-committal over its stand on the Lankan Tamils issue, quickly moved to placate the southern ally. Union Minister V. Narayanasamy said the Prime Minister would “definitely consider all aspects” before taking a decision on the resolution.
The US-sponsored motion puts Sri Lanka in the dock over alleged war crimes and rights violations against Tamil civilians during the final phase of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The resolution is moved by the US for the second time. Last year, India supported a similar resolution following pressure from political parties in Tamil Nadu. This time, though, the Centre has maintained that it will decide its position based on the wording of the resolution.
Meanwhile, Xi told his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mahinda Rajapaksa, over the phone that China supports his country’s efforts to protect its national sovereignty, and would continue to offer assistance.
China backed Sri Lanka when US brought about a similar resolution last year over alleged human rights violation during the nearly three-decade long civil war.
It appears that Beijing may do the same, if it comes to voting, continuing its efforts to court Colombo, much to India’s discomfiture.
During their telephone conversation, Rajapaksa congratulated Xi on his election as Chinese President, and said the two countries are close friends, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The Sri Lankan people appreciate China’s assistance to help the country promote peace, stability and development. Thanking Rajapaksa for his congratulations, Xi said China and Sri Lanka are friendly neighbours.
For many years, bilateral ties have maintained a healthy and stable development momentum, with fruitful cooperation in all sectors. Xi also thanked the Sri Lankan President for the country’s long-term support on issues regarding China’s core interests, and said China highly values the development of its relations with Sri Lanka.
Xi said he hopes the two countries will make concerted efforts to promote their comprehensive relations of cooperation and partnership to even higher levels.
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| 2013-03-18 |
Posted by Thavam
