Newly sworn-in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to do more to 'meet aspirations' of the Tamils and to go 'beyond' the 13th Amendment, during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.
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Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told reporters at a press conference,
"In his meeting with the Sri Lankan president, the Prime Minister noted that India valued its relations with the country. He requested the Sri Lankan Government to expedite the process of national reconciliation in a manner that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Sri Lanka."
She went on to quote Prime Minister Modi telling Rajapaksa,
"Early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and going beyond would contribute to this process."
In 2012, India's then foreign affairs minister, SM Krishna met with Mahinda Rajapaksa, stating that the Sri Lankan President had agreed to implement the 13th Amendment. No sooner had he left, than Rajapaksa flatly denied ever making such a commitment.
Also discussed at the meeting was the issue of fishermen, with the Sri Lankan Navy's continuous arrests and attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen, provoking severe criticism from political parties across Tamil Nadu.
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