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The Indian dimension and peace in Lanka

IT is in the fitness of things that President Mahinda Rajapakse should choose India for his first State visit abroad in the capacity of Lanka's Head of State and Government.

Besides the multiplicity of ties which we enjoy with India, experience has taught us that India is of considerable importance when it comes to resolving our conflict by political means.

This truth has been brought home to us over the decades in the course of conducting our foreign policy and today it is no longer disputed that amicable ties with India would generate a climate which is conducive to working out a solution to our problem by peaceful means.

Besides being a foremost regional power, India is our closest neighbour and the "world's largest democracy". It is a time-tested truth that Sri Lanka should take account of India's sensitivities while working out a solution to our problem.

We cannot do otherwise because of our close geographical proximity to India. Common sense dictates the adoption by Sri Lanka of positions on our conflict which are in consonance with India's susceptibilities.

Besides, India is a thriving democracy. The implications of India's democratic identity for resolving our conflict are not usually unravelled by observers but we are happy that President Rajapakse has underscored the commonalities we share with India in respect of democratic governance.

He had occasion to dwell on this subject in the course of proposing a toast at a state banquet hosted by Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Sri Lanka's commitment to democratic governance makes it incumbent on her to seek democratic approaches to resolving her problems.

Over the years, the Lankan State has had no choice but to defend her national interest and her geographical integrity by adopting law and order measures but, essentially, Lanka's preference has been to resolve the ethnic conflict, for instance, through the use of political means and this accords with our democratic heritage.

India has been exemplary in this respect in this region because her approach to separatist conflicts has been repeatedly democratic in character. Essentially, India has met the just aspirations of her peoples through power devolution within a geographically intact state.

On this issue too President Rajapakse struck accord with India. He reiterated that Lanka's preference was for a negotiated political solution to her conflict which would be arrived at through a transparent, broadly inclusive, consultative process.

This process is, of course, underway and we hope the basis would soon be laid for the resolution of Lanka's conflict.

This being the case, Sri Lanka would be looking forward to India's active cooperation in her efforts at arriving at a political solution.

It is no longer disputed that a peaceful North-East Sri Lanka would be in India's interest too because enhanced separatist tendencies in North-East Sri Lanka are likely to have serious implications for Tamil Nadu's internal stability.

Therefore, although India's principled position on resolving Lanka's conflict by political means is highly welcome, there is no doubt that the Lankan State would be looking forward to a more proactive role by India in resolving our conflict. India could, for instance, seriously consider Co-Chairing the Lankan peace process.

Meanwhile, the Lankan State as well as the LTTE would do well to bear in mind that decisive efforts must be made to resume the peace process. As we said yesterday, meaningless haggling over trivial issues must end and peace talks resumed in earnest.

The Tigers are, of course, proving intransigent but there is no gainsaying that the push for peace must originate in the State.

The Lankan security forces have done well to be restrained in the face of grave provocation by the LTTE but it would be well to remember that every passing minute which is not well utilized is precious from the point of view of the peace effort.

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