Sri Lankan Finance Minister calls on PM Modi

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Wednesday that India would at all times stand with the island nation as an in depth pleasant neighbour, in response to the Sri Lankan excessive fee.

On a go to to India, Rajapaksa known as on Modi and thanked the prime minister for all the help that India has supplied to Sri Lanka at this “critical time”.

Prime Minister Modi spoke concerning the central function that Sri Lanka occupies in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ coverage and its S.A.G.A.R (Security and Growth for all within the Region) doctrine. He reiterated that India would proceed to face with the pleasant individuals of Sri Lanka: PMO

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2022

Last month, India prolonged a USD 500 million line of credit score to Sri Lanka to assist it buy petroleum merchandise because the island nation has been reeling beneath a extreme overseas change and power disaster.

“Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi stated that India would always stand with Sri Lanka, a close friendly neighbour, when the visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa called on him this afternoon,” the Sri Lankan excessive fee stated in a press release.

It stated Modi and Rajapaksa mentioned a variety of points pertaining to the bilateral ties, together with within the areas of agriculture, renewable power, tourism and fisheries.

“The two dignitaries also agreed that cooperation in the development of renewable energy in Sri Lanka is mutually beneficial and that it should be pursued with vigour,” the excessive fee stated. It additionally stated Modi and Rajapaksa had a “comprehensive discussion” on the fisheries concern and recognised its “complex and multidimensional” points.

“Prime Minister Modi and Minister Rajapaksa had a comprehensive discussion on the fisheries issue between the two countries and recognised its complex and multidimensional aspects, including humane treatment of fishermen, livelihood, enforcement, ecology of the ocean, early release of arrested fishermen and their boats etc.,” the Sri Lankan excessive fee stated.

“The two dignitaries also agreed on the urgent need to find a lasting solution to this complex issue,” it added.