India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the issue of Tamils who have been displaced due to insurgency with the Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa. This issue not only, is also one of the most contentious issues between the two countries.

Both the leaders also discussed various other issues, including trade between both the countries apart from other global concerns. Both the nations are expected to co-operate closely in various areas including business, development and counter-terrorism issues.

The Sri Lankan President started his state visit to India after a warm welcome was given to him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He arrived on a four day visit to India on Tuesday. The same is Sri Lankan leader’s first visit since being re-elected as Sri Lanka’s President in January.

India’s External Affairs Minister also called on the Sri Lankan President to discuss the fate of almost 300,000 Tamils who were displaced due to the Civil War between LTTE and the Sri Lankan army. He wanted to know the measures taken by the Sri Lankan Government to rehabilitate the people.

A year has passed but almost 80,000 Tamils still continue to live in relief camps across the country. The plight of these displaced people has invited international attention and Governments across the world are calling for an end to the miseries of these people.