India on Friday justified its abstention from voting on the US-sponsored resolution on an international investigation into mass atrocities in Sri Lanka at the UNHRC as driven by the welfare of Tamils in the island, PTI reports.

"We believe that our abstention yesterday is in the best interest of the Tamils in Sri Lanka and will assist us in our efforts to help them," Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh told reporters.

See Tamil reactions to the successful passing of the UNHRC resolution here.

India always attached "highest priority" to the welfare and well-being of Tamils in Sri Lanka, and the international community needs to work with Sri Lankan government in ensuring justice and progress for Tamils, she said.

"We believe that our decision to abstain on the UNHRC resolution adopted yesterday would strengthen our hand in achieving our objective vis-a-vis the Tamil community of Sri Lanka."

Singh said India's position on the UNHRC resolutions on Sri Lanka has always been consistent with its view that the process of national reconciliation must be expedited in a manner that meets aspirations of the Tamil community for a "life of equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka".

The Foreign Secretary said the decision was also in the interest of the fishermen community in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

"You would have seen the announcement by the government of Sri Lanka this morning of their decision to release all Indian fishermen in custody as a goodwill gesture. This is the first step towards a long-term solution to the fishermen's issue," she said. 

Find full coverage of the UNHRC vote and reactions to the resolution mandating the OHCHR to undertake an inquiry here.