Employing Track-II diplomacy, India today conveyed its concerns about the Sri Lankan peace process to interlocutor Erik Solheim who was here on a two-day visit to brief the Government on why the Norwegians had put the peace talks ‘‘on hold’’ till the Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister sort out their differences. He clarified that they had ‘‘not pulled out of the talks’’ as reported.Solheim is here to bring New Delhi up-to-date on their latest move, seen as a pressure tactic to compel Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga to relinquish the Defence portfolio or to call a general election to settle the issue.At a lunch hosted by MP Swaraj Kaushal for Solheim, the presence of Defence Minister and NDA convenor George Fernandes, MoS Home I.D. Swamy, senior BJP MPs L.M. Singhvi and B.P. Singhal and senior Congress MPs R.L. Bhatia, Prithviraj Chavan and Jagmeet Brar was meant to show India’s concerns about the LTTE’s counter-proposals.Kaushal said the LTTE’s counter-proposals of October 31 had triggered off widespread concern as the LTTE was banned in India. If the seas between India and Sri Lanka were controlled by LTTE — the Tigers had sought control over maritime exploration and access to the seas — ‘‘there cannot be permanent peace in the region’’, he added.Allaying fears, Solheim explained the counter-proposals were ‘‘not an ultimatum, but a starting point for talks’’.Expressing gratitude for India’s support, Solheim said, ‘‘We know the peace process will never succeed without India’s support. We know India does not want to get involved, but it is a key factor in the success of the peace process.’’
