India called Sri Lanka out at UNHRC for lack of “measurable progress” on the latter’s commitments for a political solution to the ethnic Tamil minority issue through “full implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution”. The government urged Sri Lanka to take immediate and credible action to fulfil its commitments. Significantly, this rare public disapproval of Sri Lanka's actions, or inaction as the case might be, follows the island nation's decision to allow a Chinese "spy vessel" to dock at the Hambantota port despite objections raised by India.
Official sources said though India's overall position on human rights situation in Lanka hasn't changed and that the two "fundamental" considerations for India remain support to the Lankan Tamils for justice, dignity and peace and, second, unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
In a dig also at China, the government said that the economic crisis in Sri Lanka had demonstrated the limitations of debt driven economy and the impact it has on the standard of living. India this year alone has extended assistance worth $3.8 billion to Lanka to help it deal with the crisis. India had recently also issued an advisory asking Indian nationals to exercise caution while travelling to Sri Lanka. This has apparently led to a 20% drop in tourist arrivals from India at a time Lanka is looking at India for a boost to its tourism sector.
“India has always believed in the responsibility of states for promotion and protection of human rights and constructive international dialogue and cooperation guided by the principles of the UN Charter,” said the government in a debate on Sri Lanka during the 51st session of the Human Rights Council.
