Sri Lanka [ Images ] is our next door neighbour. Geography bounds us. We have overwhelming trade ties with them. India [ Images ] is their biggest trade partner and the largest investor in Sri Lanka. Every fifth tourist in Sri Lanka arrives from India. Both countries' bilateral relation are so intertwined that both of us will soon take India's vote against them in the United Nations Human Rights Council in their stride." says an Indian government officer involved in bilateral trade ties while responding to the query, by rediff.com, if the Indian stand would be advantage China in the Island nation.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ] said after the voting, ''We had to weigh the pros and cons. What we did was in line with our stand.'' The Indian side insists that they have voted in favour of resolution only because it is 'non judgmental and non-intrusive'.

Soon after the voting, Indian diplomats were going at length to explain, "We don't see any contradictions in the position ...more