With its relations further strengthened by support extended in Sri Lanka’s debt issue and the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to Colombo, India is geared to increase its investments in some vital sectors.
India’s High Commission in Colombo in a statement highlighted their commitment to re-double the efforts for long-term investment in sectors of priority for Sri Lanka such as ports, shipping, renewable energy, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, health, IT, tourism and pharmaceuticals so as to accelerate Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
The extensive discussions Jaishanker had with Sri Lankan leaders and officials reflected the breadth and depth of the growing partnership between India and Sri Lanka in diverse spheres.
During his visit he underscored that India’s unprecedented financial support of USD 4 billion last year was in line with the ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy.
He pointed out that India was the first creditor nation of Sri Lanka to support debt restructuring and convey financing assurances to IMF in order to clear the way forward for Sri Lanka and in securing the IMF programme.
He emphasized that India is prepared to go the extra mile when Sri Lanka feels the need and welcomed the in-principle agreement on a renewable energy framework in the context of addressing Sri Lanka’s energy security challenges.
He appreciated the steps undertaken for the resumption of Jaffna-Chennai flights and expressed hope that ferry services between India and Sri Lanka will resume at the earliest. He underscored that India continues to be the single largest source of tourists for Sri Lanka and discussed various measures for promoting religious tourism between the two countries
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