India originally banned the terrorist outfit in 1992 following the assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by one of its suicide cadres in May 1991. LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran, its intelligence Chief Pottu Amman and several others were indicted and convicted for the assassination. LTTE activist Nalini is still serving a prison sentence after being convicted for aiding the assassination.

Besides India , the United States , the United Kingdom , Canada , the European Union several other countries have banned the LTTE as a terrorist organization.

A notification extending the ban on the LTTE, declaring it as an unlawful association, was issued by the Indian Union Home Ministry on May 14, an official release said. It said the "turbulence" in Sri Lanka is being exploited by the pro-LTTE forces, in spite of the ban, causing disquiet and threat to the security of Tamil Nadu.

The notification said that the Centre was of the opinion that LTTE is an unlawful association and there is a continuing strong need to control all such separatist activities by all possible means.

In view of the fighting between the security forces and the LTTE in the North of Sri Lanka, the Indian Government has stepped up its patrolling of the Palk Straits area adding additional men and equipment to patrol the Southern coastline. Governments in Tami Nadu and Kerala are on high alert to prevent LTTE infiltration.

Of late there were several arrests of LTTE activists by the Indian Police and many attempts to smuggle weapons for the LTTE have been prevented.

India stands for the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.