India Believes That Delivering On Legitimate Aspirations Of Tamil Community Is In Best Interests Of Sri Lanka: Muraleedharan

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday (2 December) said that India continues to remain engaged with Sri Lanka over the situation and issues of Tamils living in the island nation.

"The Government of India has consistently called upon Sri Lanka during bilateral discussions at all levels to fulfill its commitments on addressing the issues related to protecting the interest of Tamils in Sri Lanka," Minister of State in Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

"This was reiterated during the visits of President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to India in November 2019 and February 2020, respectively, and during the India-Sri Lanka Virtual Bilateral Summit on 26 September 2020 between the two Prime Ministers as also EAM’s visit to Colombo in January 2021," he said.

"India continues to remain engaged with Sri Lanka at all levels in its efforts to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka," Muraleedharan said.

The minister further added that at the 46th session of the UNHRC, India stressed its abiding commitment to aspirations of the Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, justice, peace and dignity. It was reiterated that respecting the rights of the Tamil community, including through meaningful devolution, contributes to the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka, he said.

"Therefore, India believes that delivering on the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community is in the best interests of Sri Lanka," the minister added.