PM Modi Holds Virtual Meeting With Sri Lankan Counterpart

India and Sri Lanka agreed on Saturday to further strengthen mutual cooperation on maritime security, counter-terrorism, combating regional drug trafficking and for exchange and training of security personnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, who held their first ever India-Sri Lanka Virtual Bilateral Summit, discussed the economic dimension of the challenges posed by COVID-19. The PM called on the new Government in Sri Lanka to work towards realizing the expectations of Tamils for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka by achieving reconciliation nurtured by implementation of the Constitutional provisions. He emphasized that implementation of the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution is essential for carrying forward the process of peace and reconciliation.

However, Rajapaksa expressed his firm resolve to use the opportunity provided by the strong majority achieved by his SLPP led alliance in the last month’s Parliamentary elections to take India-Sri Lanka engagement to new heights. The two leaders acknowledged the need for close coordination on issues like trade and investment, including facilitation of an enabling environment for economic enterprises on both sides and deepening the integration of supply chains for mutual benefit. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi expressed hope that the temporary restrictions imposed by the Sri Lankan side on the imports of some products would be relaxed soon. During the hour-long Summit the two leaders reviewed the entire range of bilateral matters and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said.

The members of the Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and other officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, including the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay.