India criticises sinking of South Korean ship
May 21st, 2010 - 9:15 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, May 21 (IANS) India Friday criticised the sinking of a South Korean Navy ship and appreciated the “restraint” shown by South Korea in its handling of the emotive issue.
The South Korean warship was hit by a torpedo March 26 and sank, leading to the death of 46 sailors. After nearly two months, an international team of civil and military investigators held North Korea responsible for the incident Thursday, pointing out that the markings on the torpedo fragments matched those of North Korean armaments that it had tried to sell abroad.
New Delhi confirmed that the South Korean government had “shared with us the report of the Joint Civilian-Military Investigation Group”.
“We condemn the incident and condole with the Republic of Korea on the tragic loss of life,” said a statement issued by the external affairs ministry.
However, there was no mention of North Korea by name in the Indian statement, even as it commended the Asian economic giant’s response. “India appreciates the maturity and restraint with which the Republic of Korea has been handling the issue with a view to maintaining peace and stability in the region,” it said.
North Korea has, meanwhile, denied any role and threatened that any action against it would be deemed an act of war.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who will be visiting the region soon, has also roundly condemned the sinking of the ship.
- India condemns sinking of South Korean naval warship - May 21, 2010
- 'South Korean warship torpedoed by north's submarine' - May 21, 2010
- North Korea rejects South's apology demand - May 25, 2010
- We didn't sink South Korean warship: North Korea - May 28, 2010
- North Korea Condemned For Alleged Torpedo Attack - May 20, 2010
- South Korea lifts temporary travel ban to North - Jan 04, 2012
- South Korea announces trade restrictions on North Korea - May 24, 2010
- North Korea says will retaliate against UNSC sanctions - Jun 16, 2010
- South says North Korea ready to carry out nuclear test - Apr 24, 2012
- US manipulating South Korean warship issue: North Korea (Lead) - May 28, 2010
- North Korean submarine torpedoed South Korean warship: Report - May 20, 2010
- UN chief supports measures against North Korea - May 25, 2010
- Scientists raise doubts over North's hand behind sinking of S. Korean ship 'Cheonan' - Jul 09, 2010
- China reaffirms stance on sinking of S.Korean ship 'Cheonan' - Jul 08, 2010
- South Korea raises remaining half of sunken warship - Apr 24, 2010
Tags: armaments, condole, emotive issue, external affairs ministry, hillary clinton, investigation group, korean ship, military investigation, military investigators, navy ship, north korea, peace and stability, republic of korea, south korea, south korean government, south korean navy, torpedo march, tragic loss, us secretary of state, warship