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New Delhi has expressed consistent support for the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and a negotiated political settlement of the ongoing conflict. The pledges were made during President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's official visit, a Foreign Ministry news release stated. Indian leaders are of the opinion that a negotiated settlement was the only way to restore lasting peace.India maintains that the aspirations of all parties should be taken into account before any solution is reached.President Kumaratunga also apprised the Indian leadership of the current status of the process to initiate talks to end the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. For more than 18 years, over 60,000 lives have perished in this war. To resolve the conflict and end the war, the government introduced in parliament a draft of a new constitution."The talks between the two sides were held in an atmosphere of cordiality and understanding and covered bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest. Both sides expressed great satisfaction and warmth and understanding," the press release further said.The President's visit has raised hopes for the revival of SAARC, - the regional grouping of south asian countries -which was stalled after New Delhi vetoed the Kathmandu summit in 1998 following the military coup in Pakistan. Sri Lanka, which is the current chairman of the group, is at the forefront of the campaign to revive the process.
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