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Coordinated patrolling under study: Antony

P. S. Suryanarayana

Defence Minister Antony tells Sri Lankan Foreign Minister

SINGAPORE: Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Saturday told Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at an informal meeting here that India "is examining the proposal for coordinated patrolling" by the navies of the two countries along their maritime boundary in the Palk Straits.

This was indicated by Mr. Antony after the meeting. The two leaders are here to attend the Asia Security Conference being organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Noting that the idea of joint patrolling had already been ruled out, Mr. Antony said India had made "no commitment" for coordinated patrolling either at this stage.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan Government said in a statement that Mr. Antony had assured Mr. Bogollagama that New Delhi was "agreeable to conduct coordinated patrols of the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in the Palk Straits."

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