April 05, Colombo (LNW): Tensions have surfaced following allegations that Sri Lanka’s Deputy Consul General in South India, Ganesanathan Ketheeswaran, overstepped diplomatic boundaries during a recent visit to Puducherry.
The criticism was voiced by Pawan Khera, a senior figure within the All India Congress Committee, who accused the diplomat of engaging in activities that could be construed as interference in domestic matters.
According to reports, Ketheeswaran attended a gathering in the coastal locality of Vaithikuppam at the invitation of Jose Charles Martin, head of a regional political outfit. The meeting focused on hearing concerns raised by local fishing communities. Also present was V. P. Ramalingam, a prominent political figure in the region.
Khera argued that the diplomat’s participation in such an event may contravene the principles outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which obliges foreign envoys to refrain from involvement in the host country’s internal affairs. Both India and Sri Lanka are signatories to the convention.
Raising the issue publicly, Khera called on the Election Commission of India to examine the circumstances surrounding the meeting. He also urged Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to clarify New Delhi’s diplomatic stance on the matter.
The incident has sparked debate over the limits of diplomatic engagement, particularly in politically sensitive settings, with observers noting that even informal interactions can carry wider implications.
The Deputy Consul General of Sri Lanka for South India, Mr. Ganesanathan Ketheeswaran, was invited by Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) chief Jose Charles Martin to meet fishermen in the Vaithikuppam area of Puducherry and hear their grievances.
— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) April 4, 2026
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