Conflict of interests

- States can’t dictate foreign policy
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(October 17, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) SPEAKING up for the democratic rights and aspirations of a besieged people in another country and expecting the national government to submit to the dictates of ‘politics from below’ are two different things. It is all very well for political parties in Tamil Nadu to give vent to their anguish and concern over the discrimination and violence against the Tamils in Sri Lanka. In fact, public protests against the Sri Lankan government’s atrocities against the Tamils should not be confined to Tamil Nadu; all sections of the country that value democratic rights ought to speak up to make the authorities in Colombo feel the heat of public pressure in India. That said, these parties and sections of the public should not expect the Union government to accept their demands as the basis for policy and action.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has responded adequately to the concerns of Tamil Nadu in sending a strong message to Colombo that the human rights of the Tamils must be respected. Even before the DMK-led all-party meeting — which said that state MPs would resign their seats if the Centre did not ensure a ceasefire within two weeks — National Security Adviser M K Narayanan had conveyed New Delhi’s growing concern over the developments. It has been made plain to Colombo that India is opposed to the pursuit of a military solution for resolving the Tamil-Sinhala conflict. Beyond this, the Centre cannot allow cross-border ethnic solidarity to decide or dictate foreign policy because, then, it could be carried to parochial extremes in other regions of the country.

It is significant that the parties in Tamil Nadu invariably seek New Delhi’s “intervention” whenever the LTTE is in a tight corner. The Sri Lankan armed forces are reported to be on the verge of retaking Killinochi town, a rebel stronghold. India’s commitment is to the cause of the Tamils’ rights, not the sustenance of the LTTE, which is a terrorist organisation. Given this distinction, which the DMK and other parties must accept, New Delhi would be wise to steer a course that is not to the advantage of the LTTE or the Sri Lankan armed forces. At the same time, New Delhi must respect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and remain committed to the war-torn neighbour’s territorial integrity.

Editorial: Tribune India .- Sri Lanka Guardian