THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Expressing concern over the fate of innocent people caught in the war between Sri Lankan Army and LTTE in the island's north, 
India has asked the Rajapaksa Government to make conceivable efforts to prevent civilian casualties.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed said India hopes for early resumption of the "full democratic process" in northern Lanka on the basis of a political package that addresses the aspirations of all citizens of the country.

Ahmed was talking to reporters on arrival from Colombo after attending the two-day SAARC Foreign Ministers' Conference, during which he met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"We have conveyed to Sri Lanka that war is not a solution to the problem," Ahmed said.

The Minister said he conveyed India's concern on civilian safety to Rajapaksa during his meeting.

Ahmed said the Lankan President also expressed concern over the civilian casualties and gave details of the steps taken by that country to provide relief to civilians.

The Minister said an emergency medical team from India would be dispatched to Lanka to attend to the medical needs of the civilians fleeing from the war zone in northern Lanka.

Ahmed said India is committed to assist Sri Lanka in providing relief to civilians caught in the conflict area.