‘Nothing is more important for me than what India thinks’ – Rajapaksa

In an interview with The Week magazine, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has categorically said that nothing is more important for him than what India thinks.  He said that he has fought “India’s war” by eliminating the LTTE militarily, which had assassinated former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi 18 years ago.

“I think my war is part of the South Asian campaign against terrorism. In fact, by eliminating the LTTE militarily, I have fought India’s war.”

Rajapaksa said the next responsibility of the troops will be to contribute to the relief and rehabilitation of the displaced people in the north and northeast and added that even during the war, they were building roads and bridges in the north.

‘There was no guarantee of security all these years. People could not celebrate freely, they were always afraid to speak freely. It was a war to end the rule of fear. ‘The LTTE killed (former prime minister) Rajiv Gandhi, the greatest Indian I can think of. I think my war is part of the South Asian campaign against terrorism,’ Rajapaksa added. Rajapaksa was asked if he was friendlier with countries like China and Pakistan vis-a-vis India.

‘Nothing is more important for me than what India thinks,’ he replied. ‘I thank Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh), Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the Indian people for the support to Sri Lanka during the war.’

Rajapaksa pointed out smilingly that his ‘victory coincided with (Sonia Gandhi’s) electoral victory. I have written to her congratulating her on winning the elections. India’s moral support during the war was most important’.