PM Modi and Sri Lankan President pave way for stronger neighbourhood First and SAGAR ties
New Delhi, July 21: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the significance of Sri Lanka in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) efforts. President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka was welcomed by PM Modi, and the two leaders engaged in discussions to deepen bilateral ties and foster cooperation between the two nations.
Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi congratulated President Wickremesinghe on completing a year in office and acknowledged his dedication to Sri Lanka's progress. Emphasizing the importance of Sri Lanka in India's regional initiatives, PM Modi affirmed that the two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their ties.
Projects worth Rs 75 crore announced for Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka: PM Modi
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/rsZv6rAPja#SriLanka #Tamils #PMModi pic.twitter.com/HmoJOPlVit — ANI Digital (@ani_digital) July 21, 2023
In their meeting, both leaders focused on boosting economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka. The areas of tourism, energy, trade, education, fintech, and skill development were identified as key sectors to deepen connectivity and cooperation. Furthermore, the two leaders addressed the sensitive issue of Indian fishermen and agreed on approaching it with compassion and humanity.
Also Read: Gyanvapi mosque case: Varanasi Court allows scientific survey, except sealed 'wuzukhana' area
Earlier in the day, PM Modi and President Wickremesinghe held bilateral and delegation-level meetings at the Hyderabad House in Delhi. The meetings were attended by prominent officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Principal Secretary to PM Modi PK Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
Following the talks, PM Modi highlighted Sri Lanka's special place in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision. He emphasized that the security interests and development of both countries are interconnected, paving the way for collaboration on various bilateral, regional, and international matters.
During the discussions, both leaders agreed to enhance air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka, an essential step to facilitate trade and travel between the two nations. As part of their efforts to strengthen ties, they announced the decision to launch passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka.
PM Modi warmly welcomed President Wickremesinghe and his delegation and applauded the resilience of the Sri Lankan people during challenging times. He assured that India would continue to stand by Sri Lanka as a close friend in times of crisis.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his appreciation for India's solidarity and support throughout the past year, which he described as a challenging period in Sri Lanka's modern history. He also commended India's economic infrastructure and technological progress, believing that India's growth would benefit the entire neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region.
In conclusion, the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe reaffirmed the importance of Sri Lanka in India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR initiatives. Both leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing cooperation and forging a strong partnership between their nations to foster growth and development in the region.
Also Read: Manipur Violence Unrest: Deepening ethnic suspicions fuel escalating tensions
- With inputs from agencies
