The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Rakib Uddin

Certain sudden developments that have been brought under careful notices of all concerned, will be detrimental to the national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the South Asian nations if this happens ultimately. The development is that India, one of the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is reported to have been planning to send its troops, naval ships and air force helicopters to ensure security in Sri Lanka which is in preparation to host the 15th Summit of the Association in August.

A section of the press in Dhaka quoting an international news agency published on Monday "India is to send thousands of troops, war-ships and helicopters to Sri Lanka as a part of security for next month's South Asian Summit in Colombo.

Highly diplomatic sources said New Delhi is planning to send three warships, with combined forces of up to 3000 army personnel, because of fear that the Tamils could stage land, sea and air attacks during the summit to be attended by the Indian Prime Minister and the heads of the state and the governments of seven other member countries. The countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and the host of the summit Sri Lanka. The two-day summit, due to begin in the capital city of Sri Lanka on August 2, will be preceded by a week-long meeting of the Council of Ministers, Shanding Committee and the Programming Committee of the SAARC formally launched in Dhaka in 1985.

Though the official versions in this regard is still neither available from India nor from Sri Lanka the fact remains the way the news have been circulated the developments seems to be turned into reality. Ultimately India may exert its all sphere of influences on Sri Lanka to accept such an unwanted situation. Only future can say whether Colombo will succumb to the pressure of New Delhi or not. It will be an easier task on the part of India to play such an unprecedented game if Sri Lanka seeks India military assistance to ensure security towards holding a successful SAARC summit. Such an arrangement from any consideration will be in violation of the charter of the SAARC and its spirit. Sri Lanka combating with its insurgence for the last two decades already held the two successful SAARC summits amidst continued fighting with the Tamil Tigers. Observers reported to have been supported by certain countries including a neighbour.

The fact remains like a broad day that the SAARC along with its all achievements and proceedings including the summit are absolutely regional affairs where all sorts of bilateral matters have been sidelined. Sri Lanka as a sovereign state deserves all rights to allow foreign troop in its territory and that is her internal affairs. But this should not be done at the time when the country will host a summit of the SAARC whose hard core spirit is to foster cooperation among the member states not through means other than promotion of social links and channel which has been clearly laid down in the charter adopted in the first summit. Probably all member states other than the India and Sri Lanka are not only aware of the situation but are monitoring it closely. The Director General (External Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused to talk with me when I approached him officially to know about Dhaka's position on the forthcoming SAARC summit. If India virtually becomes adamant to send its troops to Sri Lanka on the occasion of the next SAARC summit it may create a deadlock that could upset the sound continued journey of the Association to its cherished goal.