India, Sri Lanka working on defence pact: Kumaratunga

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga today said that India was more pro-actively involved in the current peace process in Sri Lanka an...

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga today said that India was more pro-actively involved in the current peace process in Sri Lanka and the two countries were poised to increase their relations on the military front by working out a Defence co-operation agreement.

‘‘Defence co-operation between India and Sri Lanka is on the increase. India is training our armed personnel. A Defence cooperation agreement will be discussed shortly,’’ Kumaratunga, who was here to attend the 12th SAARC summit, said. She said Indo-Sri Lanka ties have taken off on many fronts, especially in the areas of Defence and trade. ‘‘The India-Lanka Free Trade Treaty too is working well to our satisfaction,’’ she said.

Kumaratunga, who is also holding the Defence portfolio, said in recent years, India has gradually changed its wait and watch policy after pulling out the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1990 following differences with then President R. Pemadasa. ‘‘There is a gradual change of policy in Delhi. It is coming up slowly after India very justifiably approached its relations with Colombo with caution after the IPKF experience.

‘‘Now, in the last 10 years, they are moving towards a pro-active position. (India) always supported our peace processes, our efforts towards a negotiated settlement. They are still holding the same position, perhaps more proactively,’’ she said.

Kumaratunga said the South Asian region was poised for a big leap on the trade front in coming years due to the thaw in Indo-Pak relations and the landmark agreements on SAFTA as well as the additional protocol on suppression of terrorism reached at the just completed SAARC summit. Describing the 12th SAARC summit as perhaps the ‘‘smoothest and most fruitful’’ ever since SAARC was founded 18 years ago, she said ‘‘all in all, the summit was a big success, definitely because of the thaw in the India-Pak relations.’’