‘India doesn’t see Balasingham words as an apology’

However, according to South Block officials, Balasingham’s remarks are not different from that of LTTE supremo Velupillai Pribhakaran made at a rare press conference in Killinochi four years ago. Pribhakaran had then said the killing of Rajiv Gandhi was a ‘‘tragic incident’’. Some media reports then took the translation of his words in Tamil to be: ‘‘A tragic mistake done 10 years ago, which is now to be forgotten.’’

The argument over the translation was never fully resolved, but it was broadly agreed that the LTTE had acknowledged the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi as a sad event that should be put behind.

South Block officials do not believe there has been a change in this position. India does not see Balasingham’s remarks as an apology, let alone ‘‘forgive or forget’’ the incident.

Sources said Balasingham’s remark is an attempt to reach out to India at a time when the Sri Lankan peace process is under the threat of collapse.

Meanwhile, the Congress party distanced itself from the issue. Rajiv Shukla, the Congress spokesperson said the party has not yet formalised its position on the issue.