India calls off high level defence talks with Sri Lanka amid row over ethnic Tamil issue

New Delhi: Following backlash from DMK supremo M Karunanidhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa over human rights violations against Tamils in Sri Lanka, India on Monday called off Defence Secretary-level talks with the island country, which were slated to begin on March 23. The Congress had also sent its leaders to placate Karunanidhi, who wants the words 'genocide' and 'Eelam' added to the US-sponsored resolution in UNHRC against Sri Lanka.

In 2012 India was forced to vote against Sri Lanka in UNHRC due to DMK pressure and is likely to vote in favour of the amended resolution again. Jayalalithaa had also written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding the government move amendments to the US-backed resolution.

However, the Centre is opposed to the idea of 'Eelam' and will not accept the term 'genocide'. India is also said to be against an 'international' probe into the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan army during the battle with LTTE cadres.

The Defence Secretary-level talks between Indian and Sri Lanka were slated to begin on March 23.

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