Saturday, May 18th 07:24 PM IST
 

Tamil parties are going overboard in protesting against Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to India

Ayeshea Perera

Mahinda Rajapaksa may or may not be responsible for the deaths of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamils, but for all events and purposes, he is the democratically elected leader of a sovereign nation that has friendly relations with India. Also Sri Lanka is of huge geographical importance in terms of its location in the Indian Ocean, and nothing good can come out of antagonising the country, especially when China is already looking to spread its influence there. Furthermore unless and until Rajapaksa is convicted for war crimes in either a local or international court, he cannot be treated like a war criminal by India, and has to be given the courtesy and decorum that is afforded to any visiting head of state. While the sentiments of the people of Tamil Nadu can be understood, like it or not, India's strategic interests must come first. The Tamil parties while allowed to protest cannot be allowed to dictate Indian foreign policy. read less read more

Arun George

Caught between the sentiments of Tamil Nadu and its own geopolitical compulsions, New Delhi has been dubious in its stand on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, whether it was before, during or after the 2009 war. India, despite the genuine demands and wounded sentiments from Tamil Nadu, has remained soft on the island nation and mostly indulged in long-winding diplomatese. And now it must take a stand, with regards to Rajapaksa. It may sound like a difficult choice for Delhi, but in practical terms it is not. It has to get tough and get over the bogeys of China and Pakistan that Sri Lanka is brandishing effectively. What it has done so far amounts to overlooking the sentiments of its own people; that too from a socio-culturally, politically and economically significant state such as Tamil Nadu; and siding with a nation that has been globally slammed for its alleged war crimes and human rights violations.read less read more