The Hindu : National : No problems about U.S. troops in Sri Lanka for relief work, says India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 06, 2005

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National

No problems about U.S. troops in Sri Lanka for relief work, says India

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 5. India has no problems about American troops performing relief operations in the tsunami-affected Sri Lanka, the Foreign Secretary, Shyam Saran, said here today. He also said that the "core group" of nations coordinating relief operations — which included India and the United States — had been disbanded.

In response to a specific question on how India viewed the presence of U.S. troops in Sri Lanka, Mr. Saran said the tsunami was a major disaster and India was already helping the people in the island nation.

"If the U.S. believes they can contribute, they are most welcome," Mr. Saran told presspersons. According to him, there was no "misunderstanding" between India and the U.S. on the presence of American troops in Sri Lanka.

The disaster was of such a magnitude that any assistance provided was welcome. India and the U.S. should not get in each other's way, he said.

Cooperation

There was "good and close cooperation" between the two countries. Asked if India was providing relief material to the LTTE-controlled areas in Sri Lanka, Mr. Saran said that New Delhi was funnelling all supplies through the Sri Lankan Government, which, in turn, was providing relief to those living in the Tiger-held areas.

About the disbanding of the tsunami core group set up by the U.S., he said that since the efforts had now shifted to the operational side, there was no need for the group. Also, the United Nations had now taken up the job of coordination. "We are very supportive of U.N. efforts," he said.

India had been very successful in dealing with the crisis unleashed by the December 26 tsunami. Reports that Indian efforts were wanting were "completely misplaced. In fact, the opposite is true," he said.

On India's decision not to accept direct aid from foreign governments, Mr. Saran said this was not a dogmatic position. As and when India felt that it could benefit from the assistance of friendly countries, this position could be reviewed. In any case, international non-government organisations (NGOs) were actively participating in relief efforts, he pointed out. Also, India felt that since it could deal with the crisis on its own, international aid could go to other countries such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Maldives.

Operations

Vice-Admiral Raman Puri, chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, said that Indian personnel had cleared the Galle port of debris and opened it for operations on January 4. The Indian Navy was now engaged in the task of reopening the Trincomalee and Colombo ports as well under "Operation Rainbow."

An Indian naval ship continued to operate a 40-bed hospital while 20 ships had delivered 210 tonnes of relief material so far, he said. Indian aircraft had flown some 220 sorties to Sri Lanka.

In the Maldives, India, under Operation Castor, had ferried 30 tonnes of relief material immediately by air while four ships had also been despatched.

Indian personnel had restored power supply in seven Maldivian islands.

Under Operation Gambhir for Indonesia, two Indian ships, including a floating hospital, had been deployed off the worst-affected area of Meulaboh, Vice-Admiral Puri stated.

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