During discussions held after arriving in Colombo on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured India’s continuing support to Sri Lanka and also to be a strong development partner for the island nation in the future, an official said.
The Joint Secretary (Indian Ocean Region) at India’s External Affairs Ministry, Sanjay Panda, stated that the prime minister’s visit was in the context of the International Vesak Day.
“There are no MoUs or agreements, no documents which have to be signed,” he said, speaking at a press conference in Colombo. “But he has already held discussions today with the Sri Lankan leadership and he will also have the opportunity to interact tomorrow.”
President Maithripala Sirisena hosted a dinner in honour of the Indian Prime Minister, who visited Sri Lanka to participate at the inauguration ceremony of the International Vesak Festival as the Chief Guest, at the President’s House in Colombo.
The Joint Secretary stated that several areas were touched upon during discussions and that they focused on Buddhism, the promotion of tourism, the Buddhist Sanskrit and the connectivity between the two countries.
He stated that the President of Sri Lanka mentioned about Bay of Bengal cooperation, which the Prime Minister welcomed. “The prime minister also assured of India’s continuing support to Sri Lanka and also that we will be a strong development partner for Sri Lanka in the coming days.”
“We are prepared to cooperate with Sri Lanka to contribute to Sri Lanka’s growth and prosperity.”
He stated that the prime minister underlined during his discussions today that whenever they talk about participating in projects in Sri Lanka, it is with a view of also the development of Sri Lanka as respectable and responsible partners.
He stated that space cooperation also figured in during the course of the discussion and that the prime minister assured that India will be supportive in any activities related to space, to benefit from the SAARC satellite.
“We also look forward to enhanced space cooperation between our two countries,” Mr Sanjay Panda said.
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu, who also addressed the briefing, said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on PM Narendra Modi, at the former’s request.
“It was a very cordial discussion and the former President was very happy about the development cooperation which India has been extending to Sri Lanka over the years including at the present,” he said, responding to a question from an Ada Derana journalist.
