21 July 2023 09:58 am Views - 183
By Kelum Bandara
Sri Lanka and India are expected to take decisions regarding connectivity dimensions in maritime, air, energy and trade domains, an authoritative source said.
The President and his entourage left for New Delhi yesterday. He is expected to hold talks with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit. He is also expected to meet Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Prime Minister Modi on multiple occasions in different capacities in the past. They met thrice in Sri Lanka in 2015, 2017 and 2019 and five times in India when President Wickremesinghe visited India as Prime Minister in 2015, 2016, April in 2017, November in 2017 and 2018.
The source said India extended ‘unprecedented support’ to Sri Lanka in 2022. India was also the first official bilateral creditor of Sri Lanka to convey written financing assurances to International Monetary Fund (IMF), which paved the way for the IMF package.
India plays a critical role in the economic recovery of Sri Lanka. India is currently Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, source of investments and also tourists. Although India is not a member of Paris Club, it co-chairs with Japan and France the Creditors’ Committee on Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring.
The visit is likely to have key announcements related to stronger economic and commercial ties.
“India’s economic strengths and technological advancements coupled with Sri Lanka’s recovery process lay a strong foundation for forging stronger economic and commercial ties. The visit is likely to witness some key announcements in this regard, with different forms of connectivity becoming the central point,” the source said.
“Outcomes and understandings expected along different connectivity dimensions including maritime, air, energy and trade domains. These are poised to boost energy cooperation with particular emphasis on renewable energy, promote business and tourism to Sri Lanka’s advantage through enabling UPI based digital payments, dairy cooperation, among other areas,” the source added.
Besides, some multi-sectoral grant packages will also be announced.