Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Wednesday pooh-poohed visiting Sri Lanka Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris’ comment that Tamil Nadu politicians were cynical in raising objections over training of Lankan security personnel in India by stating that “sentiments of the people of the State [TN] have to be respected.”
Mr. Antony told journalists here: “I don’t subscribe to the view that objections or sentiments raised by TN leaders are cynical. Even now, the relief and rehabilitation [in Tamil areas of Lanka] is not going at the expected speed even though they are taking certain actions. There are sentiments in TN and we have to respect that.”
Lanka was India’s close neighbour and the latter had to maintain close relations with them. “There are military institutions in many parts of India and outside Tamil Nadu also. On one side, we will respect sentiments of TN and we will avoid that area. At the same time, in other institutions, we will complete the training [of Lankans] as per our commitment,” he said.
Mr. Peiris had earlier commented that objections by Tamil Nadu politicians over training of Lankan security personnel in India did not matter as no training had been changed.
I wonder why Sri Lanka is insisting on this issue and persuading Indians to take on training programs for Sri Lankan forces. Having given Indians the first opportunity is the obliging way to be politically right. Other than that, there are very highly advanced nations that offer better training for Sri Lankan Armed Forces at a lesser demand and cost which India will not appreciate if Sri Lanka is to pursue. The time is now ripe to make that crucial decision.
What a pity that not only having cruelly dealt with the Tamil speaking
Sri Lankan population in Sri Lanka it is cruel and authoritarian on the
part of a minister from that country to complain about Tamils of India
expressing their dissatisfaction.
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