India to assist air-defence network in Sri Lanka

High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in New Delhi Mangala Munasighe told BBC Sandeshaya that visiting Sri Lankan President Chandrika kumaratunga was given assuarance by the Indian leaders that the country does not oppose the deal with the LTTE.

President Kumaratunga on Friday met the president of India's ruling Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi and the Petroleum minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Mrs. Kumaratunga, who's on a three-day visit to India, also met the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday and briefed him about the Sri Lankan peace process and post-Tsunami reconstruction efforts in her island nation.

During their 45-minute long meeting both leaders are said to have discussed the crucial issue of the Sri Lankan government setting up a joint mechanism with the rebel group, LTTE, to carry out Tsunami reconstruction work in Sri Lanka.

LTTE air-power

BBC Correspondent in Delhi L Jagadheesan the Sri Lankan President would use her current visit to focus on bilateral issues between India and Sri Lanka in areas such as commerce, trade and defence.

Leaders have discussed bilateral relations

India has recently expressed its concerns over alleged airstrip and aircraft aquired by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE).

Indian foreign Minister Natwar Singh talking to 'The Hindu' newspaper has said that India is concerned about the information that LTTE has built an airstrip and possessed two aircraft.

India's concern

Asked about Minister Singh's comments in The Hindu newspaper, Indian defence expert K Subramanyam earlier told Ramesh Goplakrishnan of BBC Tamil Section that India's concern was legitimate since September 11 proved that a plane could be used as a missile.

For India, the question of resumption of any sort of ties with Tamil Tigers would not arise till the Tamil Tigers joined the Sri Lankan political mainstream, Subramanyam said.

President Kumaratunga was also expected to brief Indian leaders about her government's plan to include LTTE into the joint mechanism for Tsunami reconstruction work in Sri Lanka.

Since India had banned LTTE as a terrorist outfit following the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by a suspected LTTE suicide bomber, analysts feel Sri Lanka may like to get Indian opinion on this crucial issue before it finalises its plan.