New Delhi: In a carefully worded statement, India on Sunday stated that it stands with the “people of Sri Lanka” seeking to realise their aspirations “through democratic means and values”.The Indian statement came a day after crowds of protestors swarmed into the Presidential Palace, and the family home of the prime minister was burned down. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have promised to resign, though the outline of a national all-party government still has to take shape.The July 9 protests marked the culmination of months of marches and rallies against the Rajapaksa government for mismanaging the economy.Noting that New Delhi is following the recent developments closely, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework.”The entire statement made a specific reference only to the “people” of Sri Lanka, with no mention of the government or political leadership of the island state. It also stressed that democratic processes should be followed as stakeholders jostled to fill the political vacuum in the nation.Bagchi observed that India is “aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period”. He also described India as Sri Lanka’s “closest neighbour”, with both sharing “deep civilisational bonds”.“In pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in our Neighbourhood First policy, India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over US$ 3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation in Sri Lanka,” he said.The Indian high commission had to also issue clarifications later on Sunday night after Sri Lankan media extensively reported on a tweet of BJP member of parliament Subramaniam Swamy. The Rajya Sabha MP had stated that India should send the military to Sri Lanka if the Rajapaksas made such a request for assistance.“The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of India,” the high commission posted on the official Twitter account.The Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India clearly stated today that India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity&progress through democratic means&values, established institutions&constitutional framework.(2/2)— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) July 10, 2022Also read: As Gotabaya Flees, Sri Lanka Finally Closes the Rajapaksa ChapterUS ambassador Julie Chung stated that it was a “fragile and substantial moment in Sri Lanka’s history”. In a statement, she urged restraint “from all directions” to allow the Sri Lankan parliament to “approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation — not any one political party”.pic.twitter.com/sp6asIKuUS— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) July 10, 2022Chung also called on parties to work together for a peaceful, democratic transition of power. She counselled that a new “constitutionally-selected” government should quickly get going on its job to achieve long-term stability and address the people’s discontent over shortages.“The United States, together with many other members of the international community, stands by to support as Sri Lanka takes responsible, sustainable steps toward resolving the debt crisis and creating a more equitable future for all,” she said.Echoing the statement of the US embassy, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also asserted that the Sri Lankan parliament needed to “approach this with a commitment to the betterment of the country, not any one political party”.He also called for accountability for reports of journalists being targeted by security forces during the protests. “The Sri Lankan people have a right to peacefully raise their voices. At the same time, we call for a full investigation, arrest, prosecution of anyone involved in any protest-related violence and incidents of violence,” said Blinken at a media briefing during his visit to Thailand.Similarly, the United Kingdom also stressed the need for respect for democratic means in finding a way through the current crisis.“Freedoms of expression and assembly, and respect for the rule of law, are critical to Sri Lanka’s democracy. The UK encourages Sri Lanka’s political leaders to work together in a peaceful and inclusive way, towards a stable future for the country and its people,” posted UK minister of state for foreign commonwealth and development affairs, Tariq Ahmed.In line with the UK and US, the European Union also urged all parties to “focus on a peaceful, democratic and orderly transition”. “It is the responsibility of all party leaders to pave way to a solution to the current crisis and return back to normalcy. The EU is assessing the available options to further step up its support to Sri Lanka’s population,” said the EU spokesperson in Brussels.Last evening, Norwegian envoy Trine Jøranli Eskedal expressed regret that the peaceful protests had turned violent with the burning of Prime Minister Wickremesinghe’s residence. “Violence can’t be justified in any circumstance. We urge all parties involved to prevent any further escalation & protesters to not take the law into their own hands.”Sad to see a day of peaceful protests in 🇱🇰 turn into violence with the burning of PM @RW_UNP‘s residence. Violence can’t be justified in any circumstance. We urge all parties involved to prevent any further escalation & protesters to not take the law into their own hands.— Trine Jøranli Eskedal (@NorwayAmbLK) July 9, 2022The takeover of the presidential palace by the masses seems to have reminded the French ambassador of the French revolution. In a Twitter post, he noted that Saturday also marked the anniversary of the setting up of the National Constituent Assembly on July 9, 1789, which marked the official end of monarchy in France. “An example commemorated well in Sri Lanka,” tweeted French ambassador Lavertu Eric on Saturday night.9 juillet 1789, l’assemblée devient Constituante. Officiellement la fin de la monarchie absolue. En 1789, les élus qui se sont proclamés assemblée constituante étaient en phase avec l’aspiration profonde du pays qui voulait changer le régime. Exemple bien commémoré à Sri Lanka ! pic.twitter.com/FqYSmh5mVN— Lavertu Eric (@lavertu_eric) July 9, 2022From Vatican City, Pope Francis expressed sorrow at the suffering of the Sri Lankan people and called for peace.I unite myself to the sorrow of the people of Sri Lanka who continue to suffer the effects of political and economic instability. Together with the country's Bishops, I renew my appeal for peace and I implore those who have authority not to ignore the cry of the poor.— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) July 10, 2022Note: This article has been updated since publication with details on the Indian high commission’s clarifications following BJP MP Subramaniam Swamy’s tweet, among other international reactions.