COLOMBO, June 10: India and Sri Lanka hinted on Friday that a defence pact was on the cards, and one Lankan official confirmed news reports that his government had requested New Delhi’s help to counter the Tamil Tigers’ (LTTE) purported capability to carry out aerial attacks.

The two countries’ foreign ministers signed an agreement under which India would assist Sri Lanka in developing its industrial and education sectors.

In reply to a newsman’s question, Lankan Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar said ‘certain procedures’ needed to be followed before the air accord took effect. “Yes we will accept Indian assistance for air defence and we already have cooperation in that regard, but there are certain procedures to be followed.”

Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh said India would support Colombo’s plan for the sharing of tsunami aid with the Tamil Tigers, but reiterated that Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity should not be compromised.

“The Indian stand is that it would support a solution acceptable to all communities within a framework of a united country,” Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh said.