NEW
DELHI, January 24, 2013 | The Hindu
Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Wednesday
pooh-poohed visiting Sri Lanka Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris’ comment that Tamil
Nadu politicians were cynical in raising objections over training of Lankan
security personnel in India by stating that “sentiments of the people of the
State [TN] have to be respected.”
Mr. Antony told journalists here: “I don’t
subscribe to the view that objections or sentiments raised by TN leaders are
cynical. Even now, the relief and rehabilitation [in Tamil areas of Lanka] is
not going at the expected speed even though they are taking certain actions.
There are sentiments in TN and we have to respect that.”
Lanka was India’s close neighbour and the latter
had to maintain close relations with them. “There are military institutions in
many parts of India and outside Tamil Nadu also. On one side, we will respect
sentiments of TN and we will avoid that area. At the same time, in other
institutions, we will complete the training [of Lankans] as per our
commitment,” he said.
Mr. Peiris had earlier commented that objections
by Tamil Nadu politicians over training of Lankan security personnel in India
did not matter as no training had been changed.
