Home Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday defended India supporting the US-sponsored resolution at UN's top human rights body censuring Sri Lanka for alleged rights violations in the war against LTTE, saying it would not have been carried as expected if the country had hesitated.
"Had we not rendered our support, things would have been different... had we hestitated even a little, the resolution would not have been carried as expected by us," he said.
Pointing out that 24 countries, including India, had voted for it, 15 against and eight had abstained, Chidambaram expressed the confidence that even countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan could be 'convinced" through India's diplomatic approach.
On March 22, the 47-member UN Human Rights Council had adopted the resolution, noting with concern that an internal inquiry report in Sri Lanka does not adequately address "serious allegations" of violations of international law.
It had also asked Colombo to present as expeditiously as possible a comprehensive action plan on steps to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and address alleged violations of international law
DI
"Had we not rendered our support, things would have been different... had we hestitated even a little, the resolution would not have been carried as expected by us," he said.
Pointing out that 24 countries, including India, had voted for it, 15 against and eight had abstained, Chidambaram expressed the confidence that even countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan could be 'convinced" through India's diplomatic approach.
On March 22, the 47-member UN Human Rights Council had adopted the resolution, noting with concern that an internal inquiry report in Sri Lanka does not adequately address "serious allegations" of violations of international law.
It had also asked Colombo to present as expeditiously as possible a comprehensive action plan on steps to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and address alleged violations of international law
DI
