India toughens stand on Sri Lanka war crimes probe

NEW DELHI (AFP) - India pledged on Wednesday to push for a "strong" resolution against Sri Lanka in the ongoing United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that would demand its neighbour investigate alleged war crimes.

The issue split the ruling coalition and heightened the risk of early elections on Tuesday when a regional ally quit the government after demanding that India condemn "genocide" against minority Tamils in Sri Lanka's civil war.

India has suggested amendments to a draft resolution being drawn up by the United States, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said ahead of an expected vote on the text at the Geneva-based UNHRC on Thursday.

"India's position has always been and remains that the UNHRC should adopt a strong resolution that would send a resolute message to Sri Lanka and goad Sri Lanka to accept an independent and credible investigation," Mr Chidambaram said.