India Is Respectful Of Sri Lanka's Sovereignty: Swarup

September 26, 2015

The report by the UN Human Rights Commission is being considered and India wants to reach a common point in justice and respecting the sovereignty of Sri Lanka, the spokesperson of India's ministry of external affairs, Vikas Swarup, said on Friday. 

"There are variety of views (on the report). As far as India is concerned, we naturally support the quest for justice. At the same time, we are respectful of Sri Lanka's sovereignity," said Swarup. "We are hopeful a way will be found where both these objectives are met," he added.

The spokesperson was speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Modi had a bilateral meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena in New York on Friday. Swarup was briefing the press on what had transpired during the meeting.

India is comfortable to the extent the Sri Lankan government is. "Our expectation is that it will be a consensus report which everyone will pass unanimously. Also, let's see what the language of the thing is. We have to see Sri Lanka's government engagement with the human rights council. It has been a sea change from the past," said the spokesman.

"Our position is very clear. We stand for justice. At the same time, we are respectful of Sri Lanka's sovereignty. To the extent the Sri Lankan government is comfortable with the formulation which marries the two, we will be comfortable with that," he added.

(With inputs from Times of India)