New Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo on Friday (Dec.29).

The two sides have held a detailed discussion on economic ties and cooperation between the two countries and examined ways and means of expediting the proposed joint projects, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The focus was on the possibility of more Indian investments in the energy sector including solar and wind power, joint projects on Trincomalee oil storage tanks, ports, railways and other sectors.

The Prime Minister thanked India for the assistance provided to Sri Lanka in facing the current economic crisis by extending debt restructuring facilities and providing relief material, food and medicine and also for the support given to obtain the IMF package to solve liquidity issues.

New High Commissioner Jha, recalling his tenure in Sri Lanka from 2007 to 2010 and said he considers it a great privilege to be in Colombo once again to work for further strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation. He stressed the need for early steps to implement the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision and the 14-point program agreed upon by the leaders of the two countries.

“My mission is to work with the people of Sri Lanka, for the benefit of Sri Lanka, under the guidance of Sri Lankan leadership,” he declared. He assured that Indian expertise will be extended to Sri Lanka for its plans for digital infrastructure development including introducing digital IDs for every citizen and for the development of IT education.