New Delhi, Oct 26 (ANI): A high-level talks between India and Sri Lanka to resolve the issue of ethnic Tamils in the island nation will be held here today.

The meeting will take place between Basil Rajapaksa, Special Adviser of the Sri Lankan President and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

During his day-long visit, Basil is expected to meet National Security Adviser M K Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon to bring a message from President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his intentions.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, assured him that “all necessary measures” are being taken to ensure safety and well-being of the Tamil community in the island nation.

Earlier, the Union Government had said that it has asked Colombo to ensure that the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka do not get enmeshed in the hostilities and that their safety is not compromised after serious concern were raised over deteriorating humanitarian situation in the island nation.

Pranab Mukherjee said that Colombo has assured New Delhi that the safety and well-being of the Tamil community there would be taken care of.

He reiterated the governments conviction that there is no military solution to the ethnic conflict and stressed the need for a peacefully negotiated political settlement within the framework of a united Sri Lanka respecting rights of the minorities, including the Tamil community.

He said India has emphasised to the Sri Lankan Government that the safety and security of civilians must be safeguarded at all costs and that food and essential supplies be allowed to reach them unhindered in the conflict zone. (ANI)