Indian PM says 'intending' to vote for resolution against Lanka

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said the government was "intending" to vote in favour of the US-backed resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), an Indian media report said.

"We are intending to vote in the favour of the resolution at UNHRC," the prime minister told the Lok Sabha, replying to the motion of thanks to President Pratibha Patil's address to the joint session of Parliament. "We share the concerns of the members of the parliament."

The Indian government is under domestic pressure to vote against Sri Lanka for the "war crimes" committed against the Tamils during the end of the civil war.

Prime Minister's statement holds significance as the future ties between the Congress and its southern ally DMK is dependent on the govt stand on the US resolution against Sri Lanka on human rights.
 
The DMK is going to hold the party's high level committee meet in Chennai on Tuesday to discuss India's stand on the US resolution against Sri Lanka at a United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva. DMK chief M Karunanidhi had asked the Centre to support the US resolution on war crimes charges against Sri Lanka.

Karunanidhi, who earlier stated the party would review its ties with the UPA if the Centre opposed the US resolution, said, "The DMK will deem it as a betrayal of Tamils if the Centre does not support the resolution on Sri Lanka."

DMK leader Kanimozhi, however, had said that DMK's decision on the issue would be made only after Tuesday's high-level meeting.

Earlier the Ministry of External Affairs has said that Foreign Affairs Minister SM Krishna was "very concerned about human rights". The ministry had said, "once draft of resolution is made india will study it, consult MP's and take a call. SM Krishna is giving great importance to views expressed by the MPs from Tamil Nadu."

DMK MP Kanimozhi on Sunday expressed hopd that the Centre will "not push" the party to take a decision on its continuance in the government over India's stand on the US- sponsored resolution against Sri Lankan Government in the UN Human Rights Council.

The DMK and its archrival AIADMK have been demanding that India support the resolution. However, India has not yet announced its stand on the issue.