External Affairs Minister P V Narasimha Rao told Parliament that there was substance in the report that the Sri Lankan authorities had sought military assistance from some foreign powers. Though Rao himself informed the two Houses of the firm denial of this, he said India was examining all aspects of this report and was in touch with the governments mentioned.
While India’s policy on Sri Lankan developments is still evolving, New Delhi has virtually made it clear to the Sri Lankan government and several other countries that it is against any foreign power involvement in the region.
Seven countries signed a declaration embodying the objectives, principles and institutional and financial arrangements for the South Asian Regional Co-operation (SARC). The group of seven regional countries also launched an integrated programme of action in nine chosen areas of common concern to promote active collaboration and mutual assistance.
Foreign film units shooting documentaries in India will in future not be allowed to film anything which is “liable to contribute to negative publicity.” Liaison officers being attached to all foreign film units have been given the power to stop shooting in such cases, according to the new guidelines drawn up by the Ministry of External Affairs and communicated to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
