An Indian minister has defended the decision to continue the training of officers form the Sri Lankan Army.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Sudarsana Natchiappan said consequences on the strategic relationship between Sri Lanka and India have to be considered.
“I appreciate the feelings of those who have organised demonstrations against providing training to Sri Lankan Army officials [in Indian military facilities]. But you should not forget that they have the option of approaching China if India turned its back on them. It will not augur well for India, a close neighbour of Sri Lanka,” Natchiappan told The Hindu.
The minister said that India already had problems along its border with Pakistan and could not afford to have another troublesome neighbour, saying that trouble across the Palk Strait has an adverse impact on development in southern Tamil Nadu.
“Fear prevented industrialists from making investments in the southern districts. There is a harbour in Tuticorin, an international airport in Madurai and another airport in Tuticorin. Still we cannot attract investment,” he said.