Colombo/New Delhi, June 23 (UNI) A high-level delegation from India, led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, today met with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and said that India is ready to help the island nation in its quick economic recovery.
Foreign Secretary Kwatra, accompanied by Finance Secretary Ajay Seth, and Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran and Joint Secretary of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Kartik Pande, also met with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ambassador Aruni Wijewardena.
During the talks with President Rajapaksa, Foreign Secretary Kwatra underlined that India stands ready to help Sri Lanka in quick economic recovery through promoting investments, connectivity and strengthening economic linkages.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in tweets said:
“Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra called on President @GotabayaR of Sri Lanka today. FS was accompanied by Secretary @FinMinIndia Ajay Seth and CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran.
“Held productive discussions on the current situation in Sri Lanka and India’s ongoing support.
“Underlined India stands ready to help Sri Lanka in quick economic recovery through promoting investments, connectivity & strengthening economic linkages.
“Reiterated Sri Lanka’s centrality to India’s #NeighbourhoodFirst policy. Both sides reaffirmed commitment to development of India-Sri Lanka ties.”
The Sri Lanakan President’s Media Division (PMD) said the Indian delegation arrived on the island to consider further financial assistance to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka has already received essential food items, fuel, medicine, and fertilizer under the Indian credit line facility. The Indian delegation stated that the Government of India and the political authorities are committed to providing continued support to Sri Lanka.
On behalf of the government and the people of Sri Lanka, the President conveyed his gratitude to the Government of India for its significant role in assisting Sri Lanka in difficult times.
Both parties discussed the future course of action of the Indian aid programme to stabilize and revive the Sri Lankan economy, at length. The delegation also expressed confidence that the country would recover soon overcoming existing challenges, it said.
During the call on PM Wickremesinghe, the Indian team “Discussed Sri Lanka’s economic situation and highlighted India’s continuing support and assistance to the people of Sri Lanka”.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra also met his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ambassador Aruni Wijewardena. “They agreed to work in close coordination towards strengthening all round bilateral engagement,” said the MEA tweet.
The Indian High Commission, said in the meeting with Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, the two sides had an in-depth discussion on the Sri Lankan economy and efforts undertaken by the Government of Sri Lanka toward achieving economic recovery. In this context, both sides highlighted the importance of promoting the India-Sri Lanka investment partnership including in the fields of infrastructure, connectivity, renewable energy, and deepening economic linkages between the two countries.
During the meeting with Ambassador Aruni Wijewardena, the two sides agreed to work in close coordination towards strengthening diplomatic engagement and undertaking a bilateral visit at an early date.
The Sri Lankan side appreciated the consistent support of the Government and people of India over the past few years in a variety of fields such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, disaster management, humanitarian assistance, development cooperation, commercial engagement, and people-to-people ties.
The Sri Lankan side also welcomed the support extended by India during the meetings at the IMF in March this year and on subsequent occasions in different forums including regional and plurilateral organizations. They further acknowledged the initiatives taken by the Indian leadership in encouraging other countries to support Sri Lanka in dealing with the post-COVID normalization of economic activity.
The Indian Foreign Secretary and his team are on a day-long visit to the island nation, that is grappling with a severe financial crisis.
UNI RN