"Any assertion on India`s part may have implications on our historically friendly relations with a neighbouring country," he said in identical statements in both Houses. "We are engaged with all parties in an effort to achieve a forward looking outcome that is based on reconciliation and accountability rather than deepening confrontation and mistrust between the concerned parties," Krishna said.
He said since the human rights allegations against Sri Lanka are yet to come up for formal discussion at the 19th Session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, India will take a view "as and when the time is finalised for consideration" of the draft resolution on Sri Lanka. "We would also need to examine whether our actions will actually assist in the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and enhance the current dialogue between the Government of Sri Lanka and Tamil parties, including the Tamil National Alliance," said Krishna.
AIADMK members were dissatisfied with his statement and its member A Elavarasan tore a copy of the statement in the Rajya Sabha. They later walked out of the House. AIADMK along with DMK and Left parties are demanding that India should support the resolution moved by the US, France and Norway against the alleged atrocities committed on Sri Lankan Tamils during the civil war.
Dissatisfied with the reply of the government on the issue, CPI leader D Raja also announced that his party members are walking out from the House. However, by then the Chair had already adjourned the House for lunch hour. Assuring the House that the Government will keep in mind the views and sentiments expressed by members in the House before taking a final view on the resolution, Krishna later told the MPs replying to clarifications "when human rights are violated, India is not going to be lulled into complacency."
While noting that India`s objectives, as always, continue to remain the achievement of a future for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka that is marked by equality, dignity, justice and self-respect, he said, "we would certainly like Sri Lanka to look at their human rights issue in a very serious manner." At the same time, he made it clear that "meddling with internal affairs of another country is certainly not" keeping in tune with the best traditions of Indian foreign policy.
He also pointed out that the decision to send a Parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka to take a view of the rehabilitation work being done for Sri Lankan Tamils could not take place as the Leader of Opposition had some engagements. The minister assurance that India is committed to see that the Sri Lankan government implemented all the major recommendations of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), however, did not satisfy the members from the Opposition and ally DMK.
T Siva (DMK) dismissed the minister`s reply saying "... most of the times the statement of the minister of external affairs happens to be a xerox copy of Sri Lankan government. He said whatever is there on television or media by Sri Lankan government is repeated here. He said even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s assurance on the issue are not implemented in letter and spirit. "Nothing short of an assurance here that Government of India will unequivocally support the resolution in the UNHRC will pacify," he said.