Rajiv Gandhi to J.R. Jayawardene

India had both its national security and concerns about Pakistani, Chinese and the American influence in mind while interfering in Sri Lanka. India air-dropped relief supplies to the Tamil Tiger-held Jaffna Peninsula while it was under siege by the Sri Lankan army on June 4, 1987. Fearing a direct Indian intervention, Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene held talks with India that produced the July 29, 1987, Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. The  letter here from Rajiv Gandhi reflects the tension on the eve of the accord.

Excellency,
Please refer to your letter dated the 29th of July 1987, which reads as follows:-

Excellency,
Conscious of the friendship between our two countries stretching over two millennia and more, and recognizing the importance of nurturing this traditional friendship, it is imperative that both Sri Lanka and India reaffirm the decision not to allow our respective territories to be used for activities prejudicial to each other's unity, territorial integrity and security.
2. In this spirit, you had, during the course of our discussion, agreed to meet some of India's concerns as follows:-
I) Your Excellency and myself will reach an early understanding about the relevance and employment of foreign military and intelligence personnel with a view to ensuring that such presences will not prejudice Indo Sri Lanka relations.
II) Trincomalee or any other ports in Sri Lanka will not be made available for military use by any country in a manner prejudicial to India's interests.
III) The work of restoring and operating the Trincomalee Oil Tank will be undertaken as a joint operation between India and Sri Lanka.
IV) Sri Lanka's agreement with foreign broadcasting organisations will be reviewed to ensure that any facilities set up by them in Sri Lanka are used solely as public broadcasting facilities and not for any military or intelligence purposes.
3. In the same spirit, India will:
I) Deport all Sri Lankan citizens who are found to be engaging in terrorist activities or advocating separatism or secessionism.
II) Provide training facilities and military supplies for Sri Lanka security services.
4. India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a joint consultative mechanism to continuously review matters of common concern in the light of the objectives stated in para 1 and specifically to monitor the implementation of other matters contained in this letter.
5. Kindly confirm, Excellency, that the above correctly sets out the agreement reached between us.
Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,
sgd Rajiv Gandhi