Colombo (TIP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had wide-ranging bilateral discussions which include an oil pipeline, ferry connectivity, UPI, trade-in rupee, a possible land route and increased air connectivity, amongst other things.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi a day earlier for the official visit, his first since taking up the top job last year after an economic meltdown forced his predecessor to flee.
“Today we have adopted a vision document for our Economic Partnership. This vision is to strengthen the Maritime, Air, Energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both countries. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education and skill development. This is the vision – of India‘s long-term commitment towards Sri Lanka,” said PM Modi.
“My visit to India has provided an opportunity to review our bilateral relationship, leverage the strength of geographical and civilizational links, reinforced trust and confidence for our future prosperity in the modern world,” Wickremesinghe said.
PM Modi conveyed to President Wickremesinghe India’s expectations from Colombo to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation and ensure a life of respect and dignity for it. He also sought a humane approach from Sri Lanka over conflicts involving the island nation’s navy and fishermen from Tamil Nadu.
“We hope that Sri Lankan government will fulfil aspirations of the Tamils as this would drive the process of equality, justice and peace and fulfil the commitment to the 13th Amendment and conduct the Provincial Council Elections,” PM Modi added.
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it. The 13th Amendment had been brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987.
This year, India is celebrating its 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka. Tamil nationals have been a native of the island nation for over 200 years now and to mark this, India has earmarked Rs 75 crore for projects that cater to the development programmes of the Tamil community.
Meanwhile, talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) will begin soon. (PTI)