New Delhi: Amid the ongoing political upheaval in Sri Lanka, India on Sunday said it stands with the people of the island nation as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means, values and constitutional framework, news agency PTI reported. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India continues to closely follow the developments in Sri Lanka and it is aware of the several challenges that the crisis-hit nation and its people are facing.
"We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period," Bagchi said in a statement.
"India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework,” he added.
Responding to media queries on the situation in Sri Lanka, the MEA spokesperson, referring to India's financial aid to help the island country deal with its severe economic crisis, said, “In pursuance of the central place that Sri Lanka occupies in our Neighbourhood First policy, India has extended this year itself an unprecedented support of over USD 3.8 billion for ameliorating the serious economic situation in Sri Lanka.”
Notably, amid the chaos, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday announced that he is ready to step down from his post after angry protesters stormed his official residence and set Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's private residence on fire.