It is a fact that generally, when political parties change hands in the governance of a country, its foreign policies do not change radically. That too, if the country is a super power, changes in its foreign policies would be very rare indeed. Anyhow, we should analyse the foreign policies of our neighbour India, not only in the light of politics but also in terms of the geophysical and economic conditions governing it. We wish to deal with some topics in this vein.

It is a public secret that Mrs. Indira Ghandi, the beloved mother-in-law of Mrs. Sonia Ghandi, had supported Tamil rebel organisations and provided them with military training. Besides, she had issued statements condemning the State terrorism unleashed on the Tamils in Eelam by the Sri Lankan state and had exerted political pressure on the Sri Lankan government. The Tamils of Eelam, because of these acts of hers, had immense faith and hope in her.

If it had been so, it is quite natural for the following question to rise: Is not there a marked difference in the foreign policies between the government of Indira Ghandi and the government in later period (particularly in relation to the issue of Eelam Tamils)? Keen thinking would reveal the truth that no change had taken place in the basis of India's foreign policies.

The then Sri Lanka state of J. R. Jayawardne was not only anti-Indian in its attitude but also had strong friendly ties with countries like Pakistan, China and America. Indira Ghandi's government, in contrast to this, had close ties with Soviet Russia which had been a super power then. India, considered the increasing interference and influence of countries like America in Sri Lanka a threat to itself. The issue of the Tamils of Eelam was a godsend for India to interfere in the affairs of Sri Lanka. Indira Ghandi exploited it and tried to maintain India's regional supremacy.

Indira Ghandi wanted the struggle of the Eelam Tamils to become an unrelenting headache to J. R. Jayawardne's government and thereby made to seek India's assistance. This is indeed true. In a few months after her assassination a book on her political life was published. The author was her former private secretary. He has extensively described Indira Ghandi's thinking on the issues of the State of Sri Lanka, the Tamil issue and the Tamil Freedom fighters.

In addition to this, the author had written how Indira Ghandi had gauged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. 'Unlike the members of other freedom fighter organisations the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are infused with originality, conviction and discipline. Their organisation is developing into one that is strongly convinced of it goals and they will not succumb to India's pressure in the future.'

India, with its eye on its regional supremacy and economic development would now lean left and then right; whichever the direction of the leaning be, India's welfare would be its paramount priority. This is the fundamental logic of India's foreign policy.

We should consider India's future behaviour on the basis of this logic. Today, the situation is such that, in the field of political power and military might, both Sri Lankan state and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam stand as equals. The fact that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are the sole representatives of the Tamils is proven beyond dispute. The question is as to how India will handle its affairs in this context.

18 years ago, in 1987, the leader of the Tamil Nation, His Excellency Pirabakaran, for the first time, appeared before the public in Suthumalai to deliver a talk. This historically important speech given before thousands of Tamils, later became to be known as the 'Suthumalai Declaration'.

The National leader, in his speech, had emphasised that the Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement would never gain any rights for the Tamils and that the Regional strategic supremacy of India is grating on the Tamil struggle for its right of self-determination. He went on to stress another matter: 'We love India, we love Indians; we are not against India'. Thus he had clearly expressed his stance then itself. We must understand this statement and the honesty underlining it.

Though the then diplomats, Indian Intelligence service, Indian politicians had, by their miscalculations and wrong actions, been the cause for the later war between the Tigers and the Indian forces, which again gave rise to bitterness, the Tamil National leader had been firm and clear in his conviction that basically the Liberation Tigers were not against India, its sovereignty and the people of India. He had expounded it on that particular day itself. Besides, three years ago in 2002, at the Conference for the International media, he had reiterated his attitude on the friendly relationship with India.

It is noteworthy to mention that, when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam began peace talks with the then Ranil Wickramasinghe government, they had expressed their desire to have India as the host country for the talks. It is a known fact that India missed this opportunity because of conflicting internal politics.

India , which had unwarranted fear in 1987 that the Liberation Tigers would prove detrimental to its regional supremacy, may realise that it is the present Sri Lanka government which is damaging India's regional supremacy. India is not unaware of America trying to establish its supremacy in this region overtly and covertly through countries like Japan. We observe that America likewise is building its supremacy around India in Pakistan,Irak and Afghanistan.

From historical times close friendly relationship had existed between the Tamils of Eelam and India. Past history, in contrast, reveals that the Sinhala nation and India had had continued conflicts. Even after gaining independence from the Britain, the Sinhala leaderships and the Sinhala politicians had had the same anti-Indian sentiments. Among the countries which had ties with Sri Lanka and assisted it politically, economically and militarily, many were anti-Indian in their attitude. China and Pakistan are two glaring examples. When India had close friendly relationship with then super power Russia, Sri Lanka tried to get closer to America.

The hatred that the Sinhala people have for India continues through their generations. It is unfortunate that this seed of hatred is sown in the hearts of even the Sinhala common people. In 1985 Sri Lanka won in the test cricket match against India. The next day was declared a public holiday to celebrate the victory over India.

Why did severe opposition arise in the Sinhala rural area when India and Sri Lanka tried to sign the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement aimed at solving the problems of the Tamils (drawn without consulting the Tamils)? The anti-Indian attitude was the basic reason for this opposition. Whatever the problem be they wanted no Indian interference in it.

The very same Sinhala factions which vociferously opposed Indian intervention then, now beg India to intervene. This does not indicate a change of heart but a pathetic wish to crush the strength of the Tamil nation and its struggle for its rights.

It is precisely in the light of these facts we wish to discuss India's foreign policy regarding Sri Lanka.

The Indian State which consists of multi-lingual, multi-racial and multi-religious people considers itself their rightful representative and acts accordingly. This certainly is the right approach. The Indian state which represents by integrating the multilingual and multicultural aspects of the country should show the same spirit in dealing with its neighbouring countries. But India, when it deals with the issues in Sri Lanka, upholds the welfare of the Sinhala nation only.

Therefore it is clear that India by not equally treating the welfare of both the Sinhala and Tamil people, is partial to the Sinhala nation. India's foreign policy should be the same for both races of Sri Lanka. This change is very much desired in India's attitude.

A truth emerges when one considers the Eelam Tamils' struggle for freedom. It is this struggle which had saved the Indian regional supremacy at least to a certain extent. It is because the Tamils have a strong hold on to their territory that the ant-Indian factions are unable to get a footing in these regions. Had this been not the case, the Sri Lanka state would have gladly leased these regions to the ant-Indian powers. The so called foreign agreements, which are being enforced by mouth and in paper only, would have been fully executed and the coastal regions of Sri Lanka would be now occupied by anti-Indian forces.

Therefore it is essential that a bond be born between the Eelam Tamils and India.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have long since clarified their stand in relation to India. The Tamil leadership has again and again offered its friendly hand courting sincere friendship with India. One cannot deny the fact that regional supremacy is highly important to a country like India. It is also an undisputable truth that it is the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam which is the dynamic power that had metamorphosed the Tamil nation in Sri Lanka into a strong race. In this context, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have always responded clearly and extensively to the various justified questions arising in India's thinking.

What are the messages the leadership of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam publicly continue to convey ?

• The Liberation Tigers do not wish to be detrimental to India's regional supremacy.

• The liberation Tigers are not against the sovereignty of India and her people.

• The Liberation Tigers will not be an obstacle in the path of India's national welfare.

• The Liberation Tigers do not operate against the geophysical and strategic interest of India.

• The Liberation Tigers do not wish to harm the economic interests of India.

• The Liberation Tigers do not wish to create conflicts in India's internal politics.

  Then what do the Liberation Tigers desire instead?

  • The Liberation Tigers desire nothing but sincere relationship with India.

  • The Liberation Tigers desire to consider India only as a friendly power.

  • The Liberation Tigers desire earnestly to work in collaboration with India in a friendly manner.

  • The Liberation Tigers desire that India should effect a change in its foreign policy to facilitate such an amicable bond.

  India should come forward to accept this justified request of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. It should embark on engagements to create the necessary goodwill. If clarification in this matter is called for, talks could be held and issues solved. Therefore India should approach the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam along diplomatic channels.

  This is the request of the Eelam Tamils and their leadership.

  LET A BOND BE BORN!

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