Monday, March 19, 2012

Keep national interest uppermost

The interest of the nation must be kept uppermost on international stage. The charge of war crimes against Sri Lanka is being leveled because Tamils of Indian origins are being victimized there by its army. India is really concerned over the fate of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka.
On the issue of resolution moved against Sri Lanka at UN Human Rights Council by US, France and Norway, India is required to take stand that protects the interest of ethnic Tamils and its geo-strategic position.
International affairs should not be guided by the regional politics of the nation. DMK, one of the most important allies of the UPA, and ruling AIADMK are putting pressure on the Government to support the resolution against Sri Lanka. Their demand to support the resolution is closely linked to the state politics of Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh while replying to the motion of thanks to the President’s address has expressed inclination to support the resolution against Sri Lanka at UN Human Rights Council, though India’s traditional stand has not been to support any country specific resolution at UNHRC. If this has been the position of the nation, why is the Government in two minds on the issue?
Ethnic Tamils have been demanding devolution of power in Sri Lanka. They have every right to live with dignity and respect. They charge the Sri Lankan government of blatant discrimination against them. LTTE, a terrorist organization, has been espousing the cause of ethnic Tamils and fighting for the devolution of power. As LTTE represents terrorism, India is completely against it. India has also suffered the brunt of LTTE’s terror.
Though political parties in Tamil Nadu is clamoring for supporting UN resolution only for their regional political interest, India has to take a stand on it after thoroughly weighing pros and cons of its move at UNHRC.
Undoubtedly, Sri Lankan army’s excesses against the ethnic Tamils have crossed all limits. The Government of Sri Lanka must step in to rein in its army. As India is concerned with the future of ethnic Tamils, it must ask the government of Sri Lanka to expedite the reconciliation process and take steps towards devolution of power for them. India’s objectives are to secure the future of Tamil Community in Sri Lanka that is based on equality, dignity, justice and self respect.
The Indian government has rightly emphasized that there should be a genuine process of reconciliation to address the grievances of the ethnic Tamils and implement the recommendations of a report of a high-level committee placed before Parliament.
It is necessary for lasting peace that the Sri Lankan government must stand by its commitment, broaden the dialogue with political parties, including with the Tamil National Alliance to achieve forward looking and meaningful devolution of power..

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