Sir — AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, DMK chief M Karunanidhi and BJP’s allies in Tamil Nadu have cried foul over the invitation to Sri lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the swearing-in-ceremony of Mr Narendra Modi. Improving relations with neighbouring countries is essential.
That is why the invitation has been extended to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well as heads of Government of SAARC countries. Relationship between India and Pakistan is strained. In spite of that, if Pakistan has been invited, Mr Modi should be appreciated.
If Tamils are not treated well in Sri lanka, it is an internal matter of that country, though we must work with Colombo to ensure that the Tamils are not persecuted. India cannot afford to strain relationship with Sri lanka. Strong ties with neighbouring countries are of utmost importance because, as Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee had put it, friends can be changed but neighbours cannot. Ms Jayalalithaa’s protest over Mr Rajapaksa’s invite is not borne out of maturity one expects of a seasoned politician.