'India does not interfere in internal affairs of any country'

NEW DELHI: It is not the policy of the Indian Government and its representative abroad to interfere in the internal affairs of any country, an official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi said yesterday.

The spokesperson said this in response to a question regarding the statement by Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike in Parliament on Wednesday alleging that the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Nirupama Rao was interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka.

The release said: "It is not the policy of Government of India and its representative abroad to interfere in the internal affairs of any country.

Our High Commissioner in Colombo Nirupama Rao is a senior diplomat and has conducted herself in accordance with the highest professional standards. Her contribution to strengthen Indo-Sri Lankan bilateral relations is well appreciated by the host government."