Indian stand on Lankan island clear

Director-General of the  Coast Guard has refused to be drawn into the controversy

Indian stand on Lankan island clear

Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Vice-Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal has refused to be drawn into the controversy over India’s stand on Katchatheevu and whether India should take back the islet for security reasons, The Hindu newspaper reported.

“I will not comment upon it,” the Vice Admiral said when asked whether India should stake claim to the islet on security point of view. “It is a diplomatic question and I have no answer to it. I do not think it is correct on my part to say anything on it. The Government of India’s stand (on the issue) is quite clear and you are aware of it,” he said.

The Vice Admiral, who was talking to reporters after commissioning the Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) Hovercraft H-195 at the Mandapam station of ICG in India yesterday, said he was not aware of reports that Sri Lanka was establishing its naval base at the islet, posing a security threat to India.

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Source: colombogazette.com