Colombo: Sri Lankan Presidential hopeful and former Army chief Sarath Fonseka on Sunday said he would forge the "best relationship" with India if elected to the top post in the January polls, noting that New Delhi extended "moral and political support" to his country during its war against LTTE.
"They (India) are the closest neighbour and powerful neighbour in the region. So we have to obviously have 100 percent or thousand person best relationship with India," he told his maiden press conference after quitting as the Chief of Defence Staff earlier this month following a spat with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
"If somebody says okay I worked in China or Pakistan that was only for the purpose of getting approved .... the military equipment to fight the war (against the LTTE)," he said.
Those countries helped Sri Lanka through the military equipment but the Indian government "morally and politically helped equally" the island nation to win the war against the LTTE, the former top General said.
"The relationship with India has always been at the highest (level). Even in future I (would) like to maintain the best of relationship," Fonseka said.
"So India is one of the best neighbours we have. Obviously we must maintain best relationship (with India)," Fonseka said.
The former Sri Lankan Army chief said that he respected the Indian culture and people. "Especially, I like the Indian music. I used to scoot school and go and see Indian films those days."
"The day I joined the Army even as a second lieutenant I had very good relationship with India. I have gone four times for training in India and as Commander. I had very good relations with the Indian military. I have lot of regards and respect for the Indian military," Fonseka said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, November 29, 2009, 16:40