Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Tamil issue was discussed with an open mind with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on his first visit outside the island nation after assuming office.
Security and counter-terrorism dominated talks between India and Sri Lanka, as the Modi government hosted Rajapaksa even as India also asked Sri Lanka to expedite reconciliation process for the Tamils in the north and northeast of the island. The emphasis was significant given India’s stake in the welfare of the Tamil population, which has shared ethnic bonds across the Palk Strait in Tamil Nadu.
In his statement to the media, Modi said, “I am confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will realise the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka.”
In his statement to the media, Modi said, “I am confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will realise the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and respect within a united Sri Lanka. For this, it will be necessary to carry forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of the 13th amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.”
The two sides held delegation-level talks, restricted talks (with external affairs minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval) and a one-on-one conversation between Modi and Rajapaksa on Saturday.
