EAM Jaishankar's Sri Lanka visit bolsters India's Neighbourhood First policy, SAGAR vision

Jaishankar visited Colombo on October 4, where he called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and held discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. EAM also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Leader of SJB, Sajith Premadasa, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

Jaishankar also assured that India's ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka will continue, focusing on projects prioritised by the Sri Lankan government.

In his discussions with Foreign Minister Herath, EAM conveyed India's strong commitment to advance bilateral cooperation based on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and SAGAR outlook. In this context, he assured that India's ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka through projects of Sri Lankan priority will be continued.

He emphasised that India has offered to modernise the Kankesanthurai port through a grant to the tune of USD 61.5 million. He also conveyed that payments for seven completed Line of Credit projects to the tune of USD 20 million could be converted into grants. India has also decided to gift 22 diesel locomotives to the Sri Lankan Railways, the MEA said.

In his meeting with the President, EAM spoke about ongoing initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development. He highlighted that they would contribute to economic sustainability and provide new streams of revenue.

The Sri Lankan President said that India's economic support is critical to realising his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people. He referred to the potential of exporting renewable energy to India, which could help reduce production costs in Sri Lanka and create additional resources. The President also noted the contribution of Indian tourists and recognised that this has the potential to grow further, the release said.

EAM's conversation with the leadership also covered facilitating Indian investments and job creation in Sri Lanka, as well as expanding the flow of Indian tourists. In his meeting with Prime Minister Amarasuriya, he underlined that the Government of India was prepared to respond to the training and capacity-building requirements of Sri Lanka. Their discussion also focused on the benefits of digital public infrastructure, the MEA release said.

On Sri Lanka's debt restructuring efforts, EAM Jaishankar recalled that India had been supportive of Sri Lanka's economic stability and recovery from the very start. It was the first country to give financing assurances, which enabled the IMF to finalise the Extended Fund Facility.

He also confirmed India's support in the Official Creditors' Committee in respect of Sri Lanka's agreement with International Sovereign Bond holders. India is also willing to expedite the conclusion of its bilateral MoU with Sri Lanka. The President conveyed his appreciation in that regard, the release added.

Regarding security and defence, the meetings brought out that the interests of India and Sri Lanka were closely intertwined. Their collaboration was in mutual interest and contributed to the stability and security of the region. The importance of a continuous dialogue that would promote trust, transparency and mutual sensitivity was recognised. The President reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would never allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India's security interests.

EAM Jaishankar also raised concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen who are detained in Sri Lanka. He pressed for their early release, as well as of their boats, and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on them. A humanitarian approach focused on livelihood issues would create a durable basis for addressing this matter. A meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries and of the Fishermen Associations would be timely. EAM appreciated the release of 50 Indian fishermen today.

With regard to the ethnic issue and the reconciliation process, EAM reiterated India's support for the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, peace while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. The full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment of its Constitution and the early holding of Provincial Council elections will facilitate these objectives.

Meanwhile, an invitation was also extended on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by EAM to President Dissanayake to visit India at a mutually convenient date. (ANI)