NEW DELHI, Aug 13 (AFP) - India condemned Saturday the assassination of Sri Lanka’s foreign minister as a "terrorist crime," but said it was confident Colombo would not allow the killing to derail the nation’s peace process.

"We have every confidence the government and the friendly people of Sri Lanka will rise to the challenge and defeat the forces which seek to undermine Sri Lanka’s unity and political stability," the Foreign Ministry said.

"The government of India’s support for unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka remains undiluted," Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said, reading from a statement.

Describing Kadirgamar as a "longstanding friend of India" the statement said the assassination was a "heinous act" that India condemned "unreservedly."