India on UNHRC: DMK hopes PM will keep his promise

DMK, a key UPA ally, on Thursday hoped India would back a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC session in Geneva but was critical of External Affairs Minister SM Krishna for reportedly saying New Delhi was yet to decide on the issue.

"We are quite confident that the Prime Minister will not go back on his promise given by him in Parliament," DMK President M Karunanidhi told reporters here.

Amidst mounting pressure from its ally DMK and other parties, Singh had said India was "inclined to" vote in favour of a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN which meets "our objectives" with regard to the future of ethnic Tamils.

Karunanidhi was also critical of Krishna's reported observation to his Sri Lankan counterpart GL Peiris that India has not decided on the issue so far.

"Though SM Krishna is a good friend of mine, he does not give his replies after carefully taking stock of the situation," the DMK chief said.

The Prime Minister has stated in Parliament that though the full details of the resolution were not available, India was inclined to support the resolution for the Sri Lankan Tamils to be treated with equality, self-respect and dignity, he pointed out.

"Even after all this, the reply of Krishna that in regard to the resolution, India has not finally decided is an attempt to divert the entire issue," Karunanidhi said.

The DMK chief expressed happiness that Union ministers GK Vasan and V Narayanasamy, "having Tamil sentiments in them" were "very firm" and "openly telling" that India will support the resolution against Sri Lanka.