Pakistan, along with OIC, Russia and China, backs island nation
India is yet to take a position on the U.S.-backed resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). “But the general view in [the] country, specific to human rights resolutions, is that they do more harm than good. This has been our response to such resolutions for a number of years,” said official sources.
India is still to take a stand on the resolution backed by Norway and western countries, besides the U.S., though Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has written twice to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding that New Delhi go with it, while Pakistan, along with the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), Russia and China, has supported Sri Lanka.
“We strongly believe that Sri Lanka must be provided with the time and space required to continue with its genuine national endeavours towards achieving this objective, without external pressure,” Pakistan has said on behalf of the OIC. Russia and China have expressed similar sentiments, opposing attempts by western countries to hold a country accountable while it is trying to come to terms with the ethnic divide and a decades-long violent conflict.
Political resolution
New Delhi has backed Colombo in previous attempts to arraign it for civilian killings in 2009, but during bilateral diplomatic engagements India has urged political resolution of the feeling of alienation among Tamils. At times, it has expressed dismay at the pace of the political reconciliation process but continued helping the war-ravaged north and east Sri Lanka by beginning work on affordable houses, rail track upgrading, port expansion and electricity grid interconnection.
Keywords: UNHRC, human rights violation, Sri Lanka, UNHRC Geneva meet, LLRC report, Eelam war, human rights, Rajapaksa government, Sri Lankan Tamils, Sri Lanka ethnic conflict
The UPA is a not a coalition government, it is congress government. Shame on its partners. The home, defence, foreign portfolio should be removed from congress. If congress wants to survive, these Sonia, manmohan, pranab, krishna, chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi should be removed from congress. The only Mahatma Gandhi's congress will survive.
@ Jeewan Gaur: " India is also quite aware of Tamil sentiments and it respects these sentiments but at the same time to support US-backed resolution on human right issue against Srilanka our proximate neighbor and a good friend would not be a wise thinking. "
Can you tell me exactly how SriLanka is a "good friend"? Let's see: 1. Sri-Lanka supported Pakistan during the Bangladesh war and remains to this day a staunch supporter of Pakistan. Pakistan also remains a staunch supporter of Sri-Lanka. 2. Indian fishermen get attacked and killed on a regular basis by the Sri-Lankan navy. 3. Sri-Lanka supported the LTTE against the IPKF, so they are also indirectly responsible for the deaths of the IPKF soldiers and Rajiv as well. 4. Ever since the war ended with India's support militarily and at the 2009 UNHRC, China has made inroads into SL and India's repeated requests to SL to move forward on reconciliation and a political solution are ignored.
So, how exactly are they a "good friend"?
Tamil diaspora is undoubtdly India's concern. India should increase
diplomatic pressure on Srilanka to expedite the process of
investigating war crime. There is no question of linking your every
decision to China's strategy or some western country's strategy.
Srilanka is a part of Indian subcontinent and it comes under India's
sphere of influence. With increasing influence, power, economy and
size, comes responsibility. India should be able to handle issues in
Indian subcontinent with much more effectiveness without needing the
help of UN, China, Russia etc. Srilanka is making progress in the
direction of reconciliation process. India is also quite aware of
Tamil sentiments and it respects these sentiments but at the same time
to support US-backed resolution on human right issue against Srilanka
our proximate neighbor and a good friend would not be a wise thinking.
The prudent action would be greater bilateral engagement with Srilanka
on this issue.
Typical western approach to Eastern Civilizations.
Do as we say, not as we do.
Sri Lanka and India are kinsmen. We have a shared sense of values. We have had issues with each other for thousands of years and there will be issues for another 1000. We are also practical.
India, back SL on this one and we will have your back on the next one.
Enough said...!
It is not time that is in question. It is about justice. To investigate the war crimes and bring all perpetrators to justice. If India cannot realize this how on earth they can sit in the security council as permanent member. It is high time India comes out and say what they are? A member capable of taking brave decisions or play according to the public servants who are looking after their own interest. A good revamp of the Inda's foreign service is paramount now or else India will loose its credibility in the world.
Why should India be a buffer in this power game between the West and
China+Russia? Tamils all over the world are India's concern, so we need
to address their concerns before anyone else's. Or are we so weak
strategically that not toeing the Chinese line will get us into trouble?
40,000 Tamils in Sri Lanka killed within a month in 2009 by the SL govt..
Is it good? Or is it more than harm?
India calls itself the largest democracy in the world. Yes, if you consider the num,ber of voters.
But, helping Sri Lanka to kill its minority does not reflect democratic values. Even worse.... will be....not to support America's resolution at the UN.
It will be a shame on India.
If India support U.S.-backed resolution against Sri Lanka at the
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) it unto a gravest mistake
in the history- one day Tamils of India going to excises and will
follow the LTTE and the Indian Govt. have to go for them like Sri
Lanka did in that case(India being blamed for Human right record by UN
today) US will bring a resolution then India will ask for help from
Sri Lanka so what should sri lanka decide- will it decide like India
thinking today no straightway it will go for India's side- lets India
think twice!!!!
Regional power India "yet to decide "on how to vote should be considered as India's foreign policy weakness, Sri Lanka will use the China card forever until India has no say in Tamil affairs. India should know Tamils or the Sinhala people will be their real friends. I am lost for words when Indian policy makers believe Sri Lanka needs more time, for China to get a firm grip on Sri Lanka? Sri Lanka never cares about India's security issues.
Please Email the Editor