India can't force Lanka to take a particular line: Mukherjee

Government virtually turned down demands of two Tamil parties, including UPA constituent PMK, for India's intervention to stop military offensive in Sri Lanka.

Government on Wednesday virtually turned down demands of two Tamil parties, including UPA constituent PMK, for India's intervention to stop military offensive in Sri Lanka, saying it cannot force a sovereign government of another country to take a particular line.

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The assertion by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee came after PMK and MDMK members expressed unhappiness over his statement in Lok Sabha on the situation in Sri Lanka and demanded its withdrawal.

Mukherjee expressed readiness to make "corrections" in his statement if there were any "discrepancies".

"Government of India has no instrumentality under which it can force a sovereign government to take a particular action. This is not simply possible," Mukherjee said.

His remark came after members of UPA partner PMK and MDMK stormed the well of the House demanding stoppage of the war in Sri Lanka and also objected to Mukherjee's statement on the issue and wanted its withdrawal.

He said there was no two opinion in the House and the government on condemning the killing of innocent Tamils in crossfire in the ongoing security operations in Sri Lanka.

"Government is committed to provide all help to ensure the safety and security to innocent Tamils. We want this conflict to come to an end," he said.

His remarks, however, did not satisfy the agitating members who staged a walkout.