New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS) India provides short-term and
long-term training programmes to military personnel from Sri Lanka and other
neighbouring countries, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said Monday.
The training covers both technical and non-technical
streams, the minister said in a written statement in the Lok Sabha.
Members P. Lingam and Prabodh Panda wanted to know if
Sri Lankan army personnel were still being trained by the Indian Army.
Antony said training exchanges were conducted between
military personnel of India and "various neighbouring countries including
Sri Lanka".
He said the training took place in different states
"where defence educational and training establishments are located,
depending on the training requirements".
Asked if the training of Sri Lankan military personnel
had generated protests in India, the minister said: "(The) government is
pursuing an approach keeping in view all aspects of national interest."
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has
protested against military training given to the Sri Lankan armed forces which,
she says, killed innocent Tamils while crushing the Tamil Tigers.
