India, Sri Lanka review anti-LTTE operations

The heads of Indian and Sri Lankan armies on Tuesday spent some time together in analysing the gains and losses in the ongoing military operation in the Island nation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

After meeting Indian Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor, the visiting head of Sri Lankan Army, Lt Gen G S Fonseka, said the political relations between the two countries were on right track and it was time for the armed forces to strengthen ties.

But that was what came out officially from the talks. The sources said Indian Army head took a detailed update on the recent military operations against the LTTE.

The Sri Lankan Army chief sought more cooperation with India which has kept itself away from bloody conflict.

India’s aloofness has forced Sri Lanka to look towards China and Pakistan to fulfil its requirements of military hardware like radars and surveillance equipment.

India only gives non-lethal military assistance to Sri Lanka which is seeking to modernise its armed forces to deal more effectively with LTTE. It needs a good number of aircraft for effective aerial penetration of LTTE strongholds.

At the political level, India reiterated that Sri Lankan Government should come out with a devolution package under the 13th amendment in the Constitution. It wants the Northern and Eastern provinces to be given powers which could not be withdrawn in the future.

Fonseka, who has survived assassination bids, is on a week-long visit to India. He was in Srinagar on Monday when he was briefed about Army’s counter insurgency operations in J&K.

Fonseka arrived in India in the backdrop of his government declaring that military operations against LTTE will not be stopped.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to attend SAARC summit in Kandy later this year.

Source: newindpress.com