India's support for 'reconciliation process' in Sri Lanka is long-standing: MEA

Hours after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he said that India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and India's support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long-standing.

New Delhi:Addressing a joint press conference with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has been strongly committed to the unity, stability and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and India's support for the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka is long-standing.

“It is in Sri Lanka’s interest that the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka are fulfilled, and that applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government on meaningful devolution, including the 13th Amendment of the constitution. The progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka will surely be advanced as a consequence”, Jaishankar reiterated.

It is worth noting that the aspirations of Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority, a key political issue in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, had also been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a virtual summit with his counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa last September.

Jaishankar's remarks came after he called on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and also held bilateral discussions as a part of his three-day visit to the island nation.

Jaishankar took to the Twitter and said, “Pleased to call on President @GotabayaR. Conveyed warm greetings from PM @narendramodi. Discussed cooperation for post-Covid health and economic recovery. India will be a reliable partner in Sri Lanka’s development.

Stressing on the maritime cooperation between the two countries, Jaishankar said, “As maritime countries in the India Ocean, India and Sri Lanka have a shared interest in ensuring maritime security and safety. We have a long history of cooperation in this regard”.

Recalling that India has been a first responder in an emergency, Jaishankar added, “I am confident that this domain of cooperation will continue to expand in the days ahead. India stands ready to enhance Sri Lanka’s capabilities to meet growing maritime and security challenges”.

Highlighting on the long-standing issue of fisheries, Jaishankar assured that there will be the early return of Indian fishermen and said, “About matters covering fisheries, India- Sri Lanka Joint working group on this issue has met recently, where all outstanding issues were discussed openly and candidly. We look forward to the early return of our fishermen”.

Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet Sri Lanka’s Fishery minister Douglas Devananda later in the evening on Wednesday.

With the growing Chinese influence in India’s neighbourhood from Nepal to Iran, the visit of the Foreign minister to Sri Lanka can be viewed as India’s effort to reinforce its economic ties with its neighbours as well as nations in the Indian Ocean Region including Sri Lanka.

Apart from the health sector, the year 2020 has been a challenging one both economically as well as in terms of national security.

There has been a lot of conflict emerging out of border tension between India and its neighbourhood including Nepal, China.

Therefore, India is going all out by reviving its long-lasting friendship with its neighbours in the South Asian region especially to keep the Chinese influence at bay.

Further, Jaishankar also said his government is looking at post-COVID-19 cooperation with Sri Lanka.

“I believe COVID has allowed us to work even more closely together. It hasn't dented our bilateral cooperation but the virtual summit between our prime ministers was the watermark of our relationship last year,” the External Affairs Minister noted.

Jaishankar pointed out during talks today that there many proposals in the discussion including on manufacturing, energy and connectivity.

He also said that Indian businesses are interested in investing in Sri Lanka, including special zones for pharmaceutical manufacturing, tourism etc.

Later, on his part, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister thanked India for the support provided by it during the coronavirus pandemic.

“On behalf of President of Sri Lanka, the government and the people for Sri Lanka, I convey our profound gratitude to PM Modi and the Indian government for the tremendous support India extended in the past several months to mitigate the adverse impact of the COVID pandemic,” Gunawardena said.

India’s External Affairs minister Jaishankar thanked his Sri Lankan counterpart for his invitation and hospitality.

“Appropriate that Sri Lanka is my first visit in 2021. We reviewed our cooperation and will work closely to fulfil the vision of our leaders”, he added.

EAM’s visit to Sri Lanka is the first foreign visit in 2021, and also the first by a foreign dignitary to Sri Lanka in the New Year.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs had said, “The visit signifies the priority both countries attach to strengthening their close and cordial relations in all spheres of mutual interest."