Colombo: Adding a significant dimension to its oft-stated support to a negotiated settlement in Sri Lanka, India emphasised that any solution should ensure that Democracy, pluralism and human rights were respected on the ground.

This was conveyed to Sri Lankan leaders by Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal, who met President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and others on December 9.

"India supports a peaceful negotiated settlement that meets the just aspirations of all elements of Sri Lankan society, besides ensuring that the principles of Democracy, pluralism and human rights are respected on the ground," said a statement released by the Indian Mission.

This is the first time that India has linked these norms to its general support to a settlement within Sri Lanka's unity. The emphasis on these being reflected "on the ground", shows its mounting concerns over developments in the North and East, where Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been consolidating its influence and holds sway over many aspects of administration in areas that are not under its military control.

Reports are rife about continuing incidents of abduction and forcible conscription of children and young adults, besides widespread LTTE-backed protests against the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), which has been given an ultimatum to leave the Jaffna peninsula by the end of December 2002.

The non-LTTE parties have appealed to India to ensure that any settlement, which involves sharing of power with the Tiger rebels, does not result in a regional military rule that does not respect political pluralism.

PTI