India, U.S. in touch over Sri Lanka

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, MAY 5. India and the United States are in continuous contact over the unfolding military crisis in Sri Lanka. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Lalit Mansingh, has been in touch with the U.S. Ambassador, Mr. Richard Celeste, here, for an exchange of views on the Sri Lankan developments.

In Washington, the Indian envoy, Mr. Naresh Chandra, has had a discussion on the subject with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Mr. Karl Inderfurth. India and the U.S. have the shared objective of preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka with full respect for the rights of the Tamil minority.

The Clinton administration has been formally designating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organisation since 1997. India, too, has banned the LTTE. Diplomatic sources here say the Clinton administration is seriously concerned about the developments in Sri Lanka, and, like India, is closely monitoring the military dynamics in Jaffna. The sources add that while there is no discussion of any joint effort to address the crisis in Sri Lanka, New Delhi and Washington are sharing their respective perceptions on the rapidly evolving situation.

The Clinton administration is fully aware of Indian sensitivities on Sri Lanka and the many complex considerations that drive India's policy towards it. The sources here say: ``Washington takes India's views on Sri Lanka very seriously and would not want to do anything that might go against India's interests.''

The U.S. has a very modest military relationship with Sri Lanka. Washington has been providing Colombo with a limited amount of military equipment and training. It is unlikely that the U.S. will now embark on a major programme of arms transfers to Colombo to shore up its military position. Washington, however, may consider humanitarian assistance, if asked.

In Washington, the Clinton administration has welcomed the decision by Sri Lanka to establish diplomatic relations with Israel.

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