The attack on the Sri Lankan Navy by the Sea Tigers is the latest blow to fragile peace process in the island.
NEW DELHI: The attack on the Sri Lankan Navy by the Sea Tigers is the latest blow to fragile peace process in the island. The situation is fast deteriorating and war clouds are looming large over the island.
Yet India, the biggest country in the region and Lanka’s closest neighbour is sitting pretty. Violence in the island invariably affects India, with hundreds of refugees pouring into the southern states of Tamil Nadu , some also go over to Karnataka. Yet though Delhi keeps a close watch on the situation, it is reluctant to play a more active role.
India’s wait and watch stand is worrying western diplomats who feel India as the big power in the region should play a much more active role in ensuring the stability of South Asia.
“India has the responsibility to see that its neighbourhood does not sink into chaos, after all New Delhi as the biggest country in South Asia has to keep its backyard safe,’’ says a Western diplomat.
Many Western diplomats say that while India is wary of “outsiders’’ intervening in Nepal or Sri Lanka, it does not want to be directly involved.
Nepal’s move to get the UN involved in disarming the Maoists has not yet been welcomed by India. Diplomats fear that India will work through Prime Minister Koirala to scuttle the move to get UN into Nepal.
Japan’s special envoy Yasushi Akashi, was in India on Thursday trying to persuade New Delhi to take a more active part in the Sri Lankan peace process. He met foreign secretary Shyam Saran.
The Japanese request for more direct involvement by India was turned down. Colombo has long tried to get India play a more direct role, as it is the only country which understands the intricacies of the ethnic conflict.
Japan is one of the biggest aid donors to Sri Lanka,and part of the four donor nations comprising, US, Norway and the EU. The meeting of co-chairs is scheduled for May 30 in Tokyo. India attends these meetings as an observer but does not want to be part of the co-chairs as LTTE is banned outfit in India.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}