After vote, India reaches out to SL

Reaching out to Sri Lanka after voting against it in the United Nations Human Rights Council, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating that India had made every effort to introduce an “element of balance” in the US-sponsored resolution. HT reports.

Reaching out to Sri Lanka after voting against it in the United Nations Human Rights Council, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating that India had made every effort to introduce an “element of balance” in the US-sponsored resolution.

Singh also underlined the need to achieve a lasting political settlement in Lanka, and said the engagement between the two countries for building a stable, secure and prosperous environment will continue.

“I had instructed our delegation to remain in close contact with its Sri Lankan counterpart. Your Excellency would be aware that we spared no effort, and were successful, in introducing an element of balance in the language of the resolution,” Singh wrote, adding that it worked behind the scenes to make the document “non-intrusive”, and with enough safeguards for sovereignty.

Supporters-of-the-Sri-Lankan-government-display-placards-and-national-flags-denouncing-a-proposed-UN-resolution-on-human-rights-abuses-by-the-Sri-Lankan-government-during-the-country-s-civil-war-in-Colombo-Sri-Lanka-AP-Photo-Gemunu-Amarasinghe

Singh's letter comes against the backdrop of Sri Lanka's displeasure over India voting against it in the UN, and criticism that “domestic compulsions” had forced India's hand.

“The government and people of India have stood firmly by Sri Lanka in its struggle against terrorism,” Singh said.