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| India opposes Lanka seeking arms from Pak | | |
CHENNAI, MAY 31
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 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.
Narayanan said he would meet US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns soon.
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