Tamil Nadu CM Enjoins With MEA, To Depute Chief Secretary To Coordinate Aid For Sri Lanka

Looks like the Modi Government has decided to keep the DMK Government in Tamil Nadu in the loop, at least on Sri Lanka. With a possible PM Narendra Modi trip to Colombo and, considering DMK’s uneasy equations with the Rajapaksas, Delhi thought it better to have DMK on board. That is why, responding to the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s resolution — passed in mid-April — seeking permission to supply rice and essential medicines as aid to the troubled island nation, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar conveyed to Chief Minister M K Stalin that the state’s request to provide assistance to Colombo may supplement what is already being provided by the Government of India (GoI). Jaishankar added that Sri Lanka preferred inclusive distribution. An effusive Stalin thanked the Jaishankar and responded that the state government would consider deputing TN Chief Secretary to coordinate with GoI while supplying the relief material. Interestingly, the MEA’s approval for Tamil Nadu’s aid to Sri Lanka comes even as state BJP chief K Annamalai visited Jaffna on invitation from the Ceylon Workers Congress.  Annamalai was critical of the DMK Government for trying to politicise the aid issue without mention of the help GoI was already providing to Sri Lanka that includes, financial credit of US $3 billion, 4 lakh tonnes of fuel and 40,000 tonnes of rice.