India agrees to coordinated patrolling of Palk Straits   
[Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 7.15 GMT]    

Indian Defence Minister AK Anthony assured Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, that the Indian Government was agreeable to conduct coordinated patrols of the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Straits, said a press release issued by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore on June 2.

Modalities for this deployment will be worked out between the two sides.  In March 2007, in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister of India, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had proposed such a mechanism in order to prevent attacks on fisherman by the LTTE in the area and the transporting of material supplies to the LTTE.  The matter was also taken up during Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s visit to New Delhi last week.    

The Indian Defence Minister and Minister Bogollagama met on the sidelines of the 6th Annual IISS Asian Security Summit – The Shangri-La Dialogue, that is currently taking place in Singapore.

During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed current developments in restoring normalcy in the East, as well as in the Jaffna Peninsula .  The Indian Government said that it will resume construction of the Kankesanthurai harbour following Minister Bogollagama informing that the security situation in the Peninsula had improved considerably. The Minister said that the development of the harbour to its full potential will facilitate the transport of supplies to the Jaffna Peninsula , including directly from India .

According to the press release “the Indian Defence Minister assured that his government will continue to strengthen Sri Lanka ’s air defence capability and noted that an Indian team was currently in Sri Lanka for this purpose.”

The release also said:

“Minister Bogollagama also referred to recent reports appearing in the media on comments made regarding arms purchases by Sri Lanka . Minister Anthony said India appreciated Sri Lanka being transparent in the purchasing of its defence equipment.  

The Foreign Minister also briefed Minister Anthony on the present status of negotiations at evolving a southern consensus for the settlement of the present conflict.  He observed that the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) was presently working on developing a consensus proposal for this purpose, taking into account concerns expressed by all parties.  

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Last Updated Date: June 05, 2007 - 7.15 GMT