I trust neighbours. Let them handle it if they want, if they are ready. But I don’t mind if there is a group of SAARC countries. I’ll prefer (that).

• Why are you shy of the Scandinavians? They are everybody’s neutral these days.

This is what everybody is talking about. This is the picture you see. I don’t mind whether it is Norwegians, Japanese, or some other Scandinavian country. It’s whether the people of our country will believe them or trust them.

• You think a bigger power will command a greater assurance?

I think so, because sometimes the pressure that India can put on the LTTE . . . I think they know their mentality. They’ve been working with them for a long time.

• One way and the other. But can India do all this despite the Tamil politics?

This is my problem, about which I’m always thinking. I don’t want to pressurise India or make any demands on it, because I know the difficulty, especially in a coalition government.

• Have you made progress in your talks with the Indian side?

I think we have a very good relationship. They understand me and I think now they understand me better than earlier.

• Earlier, even they saw you as a hawk.

I don’t know. I won’t say anything about it. But I think now they know who Mahinda Rajapaksa is and what I think.

• Did you see initially that there were areas where the Indian side needed to understand you better?

... contd.