Two days after the Sri Lankan Government decided to abrogate the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE, India on Friday reiterated its stand that there was “no military solution” to the ethnic conflict in the island nation.

South Block officials said the ethnic question has to be addressed by fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of ethnic groups within the “framework of united Sri Lanka with which all communities in Sri Lanka are comfortable”. India has been encouraging Sri Lanka to resolve the issue through dialogue, while stressing its “zero-tolerance” and condemnation of terrorist attacks there.

The sources also noted that some positive steps, which includes a devolution of power formula keeping in mind the territorial integrity and constitutional framework of Sri Lanka, have been mooted. A committee appointed by President Mahinda Rajapakse on devolution is expected to submit its report shortly.

“For India, any step that leads to a reduction in levels of violence and human suffering in Sri Lanka is welcome. Unfortunately, what we have seen recently has been an increase in violence, tension and conflict in Sri Lanka,” said the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson.

“We strongly believe that there is no military solution to the issue”, he added