Keen to see the decades-old ethnic crisis resolved, India today told Sri Lanka that the "most important" issue before it was to come out with a political solution that fulfills the aspirations of the minority Tamils.
The position of India, which has been pitching for devolution of powers to Tamil-dominated areas, was articulated by external affairs minister S M Krishna during his meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning.
During a 90-minute breakfast meeting, Krishna and Rajapaksa discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations that also included the political solution to end the ethnic crisis in the country.
The discussions focussed primarily on the resettlement of Tamil civilians displaced due to the three-decade-old war that ended in May 2009 with the killing of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in a military operation.
Krishna told Rajapaksa that political settlement of Tamils and a solution that answers the aspirations of the Tamil community was the "most important" issue that stands to be resolved, the sources told PTI.
Krishna, who met Rajapaksa on his arrival yesterday at a Thaipongal reception, also discussed other issues of mutual concern.
The two leaders also reviewed the process of relief and rehabilitation of Tamil civilians displaced due to the war.
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