Veteran South Indian politician Vaiko has strongly criticized the defense cooperation agreement signed between India and Sri Lanka during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Colombo.
According to The Hindu, Vaiko, General Secretary of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), released a statement condemning the signing of seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between the two nations, which include defense collaboration. These agreements were signed following discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Vaiko expressed outrage over the defense pact, citing the historical actions of the Sri Lankan military during the country’s civil war.
“The Sri Lankan security forces massacred over 137,000 Tamil civilians during the civil war and committed sexual violence against thousands of women,” he said. “They brutally suppressed the Tamil liberation movement and were responsible for widespread atrocities.”
Highlighting ongoing efforts by Tamil communities to seek international justice, Vaiko added, “At a time when there is a global push to bring the Sri Lankan army before the International Court of Justice in The Hague for war crimes and genocide, signing a security agreement with them is unacceptable and must be strongly condemned.”
