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Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar calls for release of fishermen
View(s):Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar who visited Colombo on Friday said the full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Constitution and the early holding of Provincial Council elections will facilitate the country’s reconciliation process.
During his talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Mr Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, peace while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
During the whistle-stop visit, the first by a foreign dignitary since the new president was appointed; Dr Jaishankar also met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and held discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.
Dr Jaishankar meeting Premier Amarasuriya
During the talks with the president, the Indian minister conveyed India’s commitment to advance bilateral cooperation based on its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook.
Regarding security and defence, the meetings discussed that the interests of India and Sri Lanka were closely intertwined. “Their collaboration was in mutual interest and contributed to the stability and security of the region. The importance of a continuous dialogue that would promote trust, transparency and mutual sensitivity was recognised. The president reiterated that Lankan territory would never allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India’s security interests,” a statement released by the Indian |High Commission after Dr Jaishankar’s visit said.
He also assured that India’s ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka through projects will be continued.
India has offered to modernise the Kankesanthurai Port through a grant of USD 61.5 million. He also said payments for 7 completed line of credit projects worth USD 20 million could be converted into grants. India will give 22 diesel locomotives to Sri Lanka Railways.
He spoke to the president about ongoing initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development.
He highlighted that they would contribute to economic sustainability and provide new streams of revenue. The president said India’s economic support is critical to realise his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meet the aspirations of the people.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Amarasuriya, Dr Jaishankar underlined that the Government of India was prepared to respond to the training and capacity building requirements of Sri Lanka. Their discussion focused on the benefits of digital public infrastructure.
Dr Jaishankar raised concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen who are detained in Sri Lanka and pressed for their early release, as well as of their boats, and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on them and said a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries and of the Fishermen Associations would be timely.
An invitation was extended on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Dr Jaishankar to President Dissanayake to visit India at a mutually convenient date.
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