Court Clears Path for Objections on Controversial India-Sri Lanka MoUs

The Supreme Court allowed the attorney general to file objections concerning fundamental rights petitions related to MoUs between India and Sri Lanka signed earlier this year. Petitioners allege these agreements violate sovereignty and were signed without proper parliamentary disclosure, prompting legal responses from nationalist groups.

The Supreme Court on Monday granted permission for the attorney general to submit objections related to fundamental rights petitions concerning the recent memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between India and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on April 5 led to the signing of seven MoUs, covering areas such as defense cooperation, digital solutions sharing, and multi-sectoral grant assistance.

The court's decision allows further instructions to be obtained from the Cabinet for the attorney general, with petitioners also able to submit counter-objections in August. Nationalist groups assert that these MoUs breach fundamental rights and jeopardize Sri Lanka's sovereignty by excluding parliamentary oversight.

(With inputs from agencies.)