PM defends India’s vote on UN resolution against Lanka

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has defended India's vote against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC saying it was in line with its stand and wanted to ensure that minority Tamils in that country get justice even as India did not want to "infringe" on the sovereignty of Sri Lanka.

"One has to weigh pros and cons. What we did was in line with our stand on Sri Lanka. We do not want to infringe on the sovereignty of Sri Lanka but concerns should be expressed so that Tamil people can get justice and lead a life of dignity," he said.

India today voted in favour of a US-sponsored resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council censuring Sri Lanka for alleged rights violations during the war against the Tamil separatist movement that ended in 2009 and asking it to ''credibly investigate'' these.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha on India voting in favour of the US-sponsored resolution, the prime minister said the vote was in favour of "our objectives" with regard to the future of ethnic Tamils in Sri Lanka.

"We are inclined to vote in favour of the resolution if the resolution will cover our objectives, namely, the achievement of a future for the Tamil community in Sri Lanka that is based on equality, dignity, justice and self respect," he said.

Meanwhile sources said the stage has come for India to seek a political settlement in Sri Lanka lest it may get out of hand.