NEW DELHI, Sept 26: The BJP said today it has conveyed to Sri Lanka to show flexibility and a sense of urgency to address issues related to Tamils in the island nation and Indian fishermen.
A two-member BJP delegation, comprising general secretary Muralidhar Rao and overseas affairs cell convenor Vijay Jolly, has returned from the September 18-23 eighth general assembly of Asian political parties at Sri Lankan capital, Colombo. Addressing a news conference here, Mr Muralidhar Rao said the BJP delegation had held discussions on the subjects with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“We told the Sri Lanka government that it has to show flexibility and creativity to address the issues concerned. “We requested the Lankan government that issues related to Tamil fishermen should be dealt with sensitivity,” he said. Mr Muralidhar Rao said the BJP delegation during its visit, which had been opposed by the Tamil Nadu political parties, also discussed “resolution through devolution.” “The Tamils in Sri Lanka still feel that the government is not creating confidence among the leadership of the community and not taking speedy steps to ensure that devolution becomes a reality
as promised by the Lankan government,” the BJP general secretary said.
Mr Muralidhar Rao said many “positive developments” had taken place since the formation of the new government at the Centre under Narendra Modi.
A total of 94 Tamil fishermen, he said, have been released by Sri Lanka.
Mr Muralidhar Rao added that the Sri Lanka government was positive about the development of a tourist circuit between the two nations.
There was no, he asserted, no effect of China on the relations between India and Sri Lanka. “China can’t substitute India in any manner and Sri Lanka is aware of it.
“Sri Lanka is a civilisational neighbour of India. ” There is an unique relationship between the two nations and it can not be separated. But, yes, the two nations have contentious issues,” the BJP leader commented. He said the conference also concurred that political, economic, social and other changes were taking place in the world and Asia was regaining its power and importance like it was about 300 years ago.
“In terms of trade, employment, income….by all indicators there is a clear perceptible shift of power towards Asia after 300 years.
“Asia is emerging as a power house and regaining its glory,” he added.
Congress MP Anil Shastri, grandson of late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, had also participated in the conference, Mr Muralidhar Rao added.
(UNI)
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