(a) whether the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka met the Defence Minister and reiterated Colombo’s desire for coordinate patrolling of the Palk Straits by the Navies of India and Sri Lanka, during his visit to India as reported in the ‘Asian Age’ dated March 21, 2007;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the response of the Government thereto; and
(c) the details of other issues discussed and decisions arrived?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (SHRI A.K. ANTONY)
(a) to (c): In the meeting of Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and Raksha Mantri on
20-3-2007 at New Delhi various issues including patrolling in the Palk Straits along
International Maritime Boundary Line were discussed. Decisions of various issues in
dealing with a foreign country are taken by the government within the framework of
Indian foreign policy.