Sri Lanka and India have signed six key agreements during Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to the country.
In a statement, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said Dr. S.Jaishankar concluded his first day of discussions during his visit to Sri Lanka yesterday, 28 March 2022.
He is accompanied by a five-member official delegation from the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi for the bilateral and BIMSTEC engagements.
The High Commission further said Dr. Jaishankar oversaw the signing of the following six bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka.
i) MOU on implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) programme with GOI’s grant assistance;
ii) MOU for providing Maritime Rescue Coordination Center;
iii) MOU on implementation of Hybrid Power Projects in three Islands off Jaffna;
iv) MOU on cooperation in the development of Fisheries Harbours in Sri Lanka;
v) MOU for the establishment of Modern Computer Labs and smart boards with customized curriculum software in 200 schools in Galle District; &
vi) MOU between Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service and the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute.
The agreements were signed following talks with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Prof. G.L Peiris last evening. The talks covered the entire gamut of bilateral engagement in diverse areas.
During his first day in Sri Lanka, Dr. Jaishankar called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and conveyed personal greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The President of Sri Lanka thanked the Government of India (GOI) for economic assistance amounting to around USD 2.5 billion extended to Sri Lanka in 2022. Dr. S. Jaishankar assured India’s continued support in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process. The discussions also covered the recent Government-TNA talks, defence and energy cooperation, and fishermen’s issues. It was agreed to deepen economic and commercial linkages with special emphasis on Indian investments.
He joined Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at a special event held in Temple Trees to virtually inaugurate the Jaffna Cultural Center. They watched a cultural performance at the Center – a Bharatnatyam rendition, a prayer dedicated to the peoples of India and Sri Lanka and their eternal friendship. They also had a virtual tour of the Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in Jaffna which is supported by GOI. In addition, they also witnessed the signing of an MoU on the implementation of grant assistance from India to promote Buddhist ties between India and Sri Lanka. Further, there was an exchange of notes on the amendment to Article IX of the MoU on the construction of the Jaffna Cultural Center.
Dr. Jaishankar met Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa in the morning, who stressed the significance of deeper economic engagement between the two neighbours at a time when the impact of COVID-19 is still being strongly felt. He reiterated that India’s partnership with Sri Lanka was rooted in the ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach and S.A.G.A.R (Security And Growth for All in the Region) doctrine. India has stood by Sri Lanka in the hour of its need.
Dr. Jaishankar separately met the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Douglas Devananda. They discussed issues pertaining to fishermen and exchanged views on devolution.
His other engagements included a visit to HCL Technologies, a LIOC petrol station, and discussions with leaders representing various Tamil political parties. It may be recalled that HCL Technologies has created more than 1,800 jobs locally. LIOC has been at the forefront of energy cooperation between the two countries since its incorporation as a Sri Lankan Company two decades back.
The Jaffna Cultural Center is a glowing example of an India-Sri Lanka development partnership. It was conceived as a reconciliation project primarily aimed at expanding the cultural infrastructure for the people of Northern Province. This state-of-the-art facility, constructed with grant assistance from GOI, consists of multiple facilities such as a museum of two floors; an advanced theatre-style auditorium for more than 600 people; an 11-storeyed learning tower; a public square that could also act as an amphitheater; etc.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo further said that Dr. Jaishankar will be attending the BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting, today,( 29 )
(newswire)