Now that it has appeased the DMK, the UPA government can remain in power but in the long run, its vote against Sri Lanka will boomerang on India. The LTTE killed thousands of innocent people. It murdered a former Prime Minister. Has the U.S. done anything about the plight of Palestinians? When Russia and China could act in the interest of Sri Lanka, why did India vote against it? Thanks to narrow policies, we have been isolated in our region.
S.K.Q. Iqebal,
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The damage myopic politics does to the larger interest of the nation is enormous. Our foreign policy handling has been so inept, it borders on the crazy. By our “hands off” policy, we lost whatever influence we had in Nepal to the Chinese. And now we have this very avoidable situation with Sri Lanka. How would all those supporting the resolution against Sri Lanka react if a similar resolution was brought against India on “rights violations” in Kashmir? We have to learn to rise above regional chauvinism if we are to get anywhere as a nation.
Aroop Thomas,
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The UPA government finally caved in to coalition pressure. The way it was forced to participate in the voting against a friendly nation is deplorable. Colombo is obviously peeved. All other countries in the neighbourhood chose to stand by Sri Lanka. New Delhi has lost considerable leverage over Colombo and the goodwill it generated over the years has been dented.
Subhajit Chandra,
Delhi
By voting against Sri Lanka, India has risked being called the big brother in South Asia. New Delhi should have stuck to its stand that it would not vote on a country-specific resolution. What India has demanded from Sri Lanka by voting for the resolution, it could have done bilaterally.
Sandeep Jain,
Chennai
From the beginning, India played the role of Hamlet in the whole episode. ‘To vote or not to vote' was the question that engaged the minds of our diplomats and leaders. India tried to be in both camps but failed miserably.
R.K. Jacob,
Tirunelveli
India could have abstained. As a responsible nation, it could have brought pressure on Sri Lanka on bilateral forums instead of supporting a U.S.-sponsored resolution.
Keeping in mind the common history and culture, it could have taken a wiser decision.
Kishore Ravisankar,
Chennai
The UPA government's surrender to its regional allies in foreign policy matters is a matter of grave concern. First it was Mamata Banerjee's TMC which arm-twisted the government in the Teesta water-sharing issue with Bangladesh. Now pressure from the DMK has made the government vote for the U.N resolution against Sri Lanka. In order to keep its allies in good humour, the government has put at stake its relations with friendly neighbouring countries.
M. Nilesh Kamath,
Mangalore