Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

I wanted our PM to visit Jaffna first: Khurshid

By

16 November 2013 03:01 am - 7     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid expressed regret on Friday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh could not visit Jaffna, a feat undertaken by his British counterpart David Cameron, who became the first head of government to visit the war-torn Northern Province in Sri Lanka since its independence in 1948.

"Is it not sad? Who is to blame? I wanted my PM to go there first. I was the second Indian foreign minister to go there (after the war). But who do I blame for it. I am only disappointed that I could not take the prime minister to an area where we are building 50,000 houses. We can't show him this and the roads and projects that we are building (in Jaffna)," he told reporters.

Khurshid was answering questions on the historic visit Cameron made to Jaffna after the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth summit in a public relations disaster for Sri Lanka.

There were plans for Prime Minister Singh to visit Jaffna before going to Colombo for the summit but it was nixed by the strong opposition from Tamil Nadu. Northern Province chief minister CS Wigneswaran had invited Singh to visit Jaffna.

Khurshid said he did not want to blame anyone.

"Let the people judge whether their (those objecting PM's visit to Sri Lanka) strategy has brought benefit. My objective is to get the Sri Lankans to get back on their feet and have self confidence," he said.

Asked about the divisions within the Congress party and the government on this issue, Khurshid said it was not a division as only different view points have been expressed.

While the Prime Minister did not visit Sri Lanka, it was decided that there will be no boycott because India has to remain engaged with Sri Lanka.

"I think to say that our party and the Cabinet was divided is unfair to them. Everything was taken into account — short term and long term issues — and a view prevailed that we should not boycott but we should remain engaged (with Sri Lanka)," he said.

Khurshid also made it clear that India has conveyed to Sri Lanka its concerns over the alleged gross abuse of human rights during the war against the LTTE and for not properly addressing the concerns of the Tamils on the issue.

"Our stand has been exactly that there has to be truth and reconciliation must go on. If you want to move and build a society, then you need to address their (Tamils') concerns. These are very serious concerns and they will have to address them within Sri Lanka not in New Delhi or Washington," he said when asked about India's stand on the allegations of war crimes during the campaign against LTTE.

Countries like Britain and Canada have openly expressed their reservations over Sri Lanka rejecting demands for independent probe into these allegations, an issue that has clouded the ongoing Commonwealth summit.

The minister said India can only express its concerns while it was for the people and government of Sri Lanka to address them.

"Our job is to help them and incentivize them to do it. It is a sovereign government and it is their responsibility. We are impacted and affected (by events here) and the Sri Lankan government has to address them because it helps both of us," he said.

"If we can be of some help, we will be of help," he said. (The Times Of India)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 7

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • ANTON Saturday, 16 November 2013 07:02 AM

    WE WANT OUR PM TO VISIT KASHMIR FIRST

    Ramuk Saturday, 16 November 2013 07:42 AM

    LOL stop crying we know what to do every one abroad push your kids to move from medicine or engineering to media see what wonders they can do . ex Guru C4, George from BBc, Navi Pillai from UN keep going

    Dee Saturday, 16 November 2013 08:55 AM

    your buddies from the south has first hand experience ask them. they are well informed.

    sm Saturday, 16 November 2013 09:14 AM

    It is very clear tamil nadu tamils do not care a damn about tamils in sri lanka only smarting in anger at the SL govt for beating their eelam saviour. India should understand this

    rakavan Saturday, 16 November 2013 11:02 AM

    Indian PM always comes out with garbled messages, he would not have done any justice by visiting the NE Tamils of Sri Lanka, who have suffered violence in the hands of the Sinhalese and their Govts since independence. This is the truth.

    MADHU Saturday, 16 November 2013 11:38 AM

    Our PM should take initiative for the possible trip to jaffana.
    It would be jusitce and moral support to srilankan tamils if our leaders from T.Nadu should make a trip to JAFFNA and northern srilanka and help the people who are in nightmare after losing the kith and kin.in the war.

    srinath wijeyeratne Sunday, 17 November 2013 06:51 PM

    Rakavan, where do you live? In SL or Canada, England, Australia, enjoying life and commenting on Net without visiting or not knowing what is happeninn in SL? War is over. Terrorists were beaten, not the Tamils. Even in 1977/1989 Sinhalese uprising were beaten by the government then. Try and bring 'Peace' at least now. Do not add fuel to a fire which is distinguished and try to burn it again.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H