Indian HC refutes media reports on sending troops to Sri Lanka
COLOMBO – The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka on Monday (11) dismissed reports in sections of local and social media about New Delhi sending troops to Sri Lanka, saying such views were not in keeping with the position of the Government of India.
The High Commission was responding to reports based on Senior Indian Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Subramanian Swamy, who on Sunday (10) tweeted suggesting Indian military be provided to support the Rajapaksa family in Sri Lanka.
“Both Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksha were elected in a free election with thumping majority. How can India allow a mob to overturn such a legitimate election?” Swamy, who is a close friend of former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, questioned, adding, “Then no democratic country in our neighbourhood will be safe. If Rajapaksa wants India’s military help we must give”.
“The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka,” the mission said in a statement on Monday, adding, “These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of India.”
It also quoted the Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India, Arindam Bagchi, as clearly stating that India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework.
Earlier on Sunday, Bagchi said India continues to closely follow the developments in Sri Lanka and that it is aware of the many challenges that the country and its people have been facing.
“India is Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour and our two countries share deep civilizational bonds. We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period,” he said, adding that India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework.
-ENCL