Chennai, May 31 (PTI) Sri Lanka should not seek weapons from Pakistan or China, but should come to
India for its requirements, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan said here
today.
He told reporters here after meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi
that "We are a big power in the region. We don't want the Sri Lankan
government to go to Pakistan or China. Whatever may be their requirement, the
Sri Lankan government should come to us."
However, he said, "India will not provide weapons with offensive
capabilities to Sri Lanka."
To a query on opposition from political leaders in Tamil Nadu to providing
radars to Sri Lanka, Narayanan said, "Radars are seen as defensive. Hence
we have provided the Sri Lankan government with them."
On coordinated patrolling along the Tamil Nadu coast to protect fishermen, he
said, "I will check with the Navy if there is a problem to functioning
under a unified command. I think it is a good idea."
When asked whether fishermen should be instructed not to cross the
international maritime boundary between Sri Lanka and India, he said,
"Fishermen are going there for their livelihood. We have told the Sri
Lankan Navy not to fire at them and they have assured us that there will be no
firing. By and large they are adhering to this. Fishermen will go where ever
there are fishes. To prevent them from crossing the boundary line is asking for
too much."
Reacting to a question as to whether he saw the air capabilities of the LTTE
as a threat to India's security, he said, "We are not in favour of any
terrorist organisation having air capabilities."
Narayanan said he had discussed with Karunanidhi the kind of problems faced
by Tamil Nadu fishermen. He had also indicated that the Centre would tighten
coastal security and ensure protection of fishermen to the extent possible.
When asked whether it was true that five fishermen were killed by the LTTE,
he said the state government's version on the issue was correct.
He also reiterated that there could not be a joint patrolling of Indian and
Sri Lankan navies.
Emerging story. Watch this space for updates as more details come in
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