India not insisting on truce - Mukherjee

INDIA: India will not insist on a ceasefire between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE as we are not signatories to the ceasefire agreement, Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukerjee said.

Attempts will be made to ensure a resolution of the issue through peaceful political process and negotiations, he said after meeting the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. Admitting that India supplied non-lethal equipment to the island's Government, Mukherjee said senior personnel of various nations' armies were routinely trained in Indian military academies.

"This is a routine exercise and our officers visit such academies all over the world. Some of the defence equipment (supplied to Sri Lanka) have a role in defending our vital installations in south India as well," Mukherjee pointed out.