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Last Updated: July 21, 2023, 11:50 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talk on Friday. (Image: MEA)
Sri Lanka’s President Visits India, Boosting Economic Ties and Bilateral Relations. Wide-ranging talks with PM Modi on the agenda
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday ahead of the bilateral talks that will cover wide-ranging discussions on all key aspects of relations between the two countries.
“PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing-ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year,” PM Modi tweeted.
Wickremesinghe kicked off a two-day visit to India which started on Thursday that is expected to impart new momentum in bilateral ties, especially in the area of economy and trade.
PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks.An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing 🇮🇳-🇱🇰 ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. pic.twitter.com/Ee6kikEpjZ
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023
India provided financial assistance amounting to approximately USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for purchasing food and fuel, during the economic crisis last year. New Delhi has also offered guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the country in securing a USD 2.9 billion bailout package.
On the visit day of his visit, Sri Lankan president was called on by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. They discussed various bilateral issues between the two countries.
Honoured to call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka during his India visit.Confident that his meeting with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will further strengthen our neighborly bonds and take forward India’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.@RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/BiHsgVbhqG
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 20, 2023
At the weekly media briefing on the same day, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said it is the first visit to India by a Sri Lankan leader since the island nation reeled under an economic crisis. “We Look forward to the visit to impart a new momentum to the relationship,” he said.
During the briefing, Bagchi described the visit of the Sri Lankan leader as “very important”. “This is a very important visit. It (Sri Lanka) is a neighbouring country with whom we have very important and multi-faceted relations. I do not want to prejudge the conversations that will happen,” Bagchi said.
The MEA spokesperson said India has discussed with Sri Lanka the issues of closer economic cooperation including how Indian economic growth can benefit the island nation. He also identified security issues, development cooperation and new projects as areas of engagement, adding India helped Sri Lanka to address its economic problems.
(With PTI inputs)
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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