PM Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday signed a number of agreements, including one on UPI acceptance in Sri Lanka. Addressing a joint media briefing with Wickremesinghe, PM Modi said despite Sri Lanka facing many challenges last year, India, like a close friend, stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of the island nation.
"Being close friend, as always, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people of Sri Lanka even during crisis," PM Modi said.
"An agreement was signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka. It will increase Fintech connectivity," PM Modi said during the joint address with Sri Lanka president.
PM Modi said the leaders have agreed to increase air connectivity between the two countries and also announced passenger ferry services.
"We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying.
PM Modi also said Sri Lanka had an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision.
"Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined," he said.
Wickremesinghe, who is on his maiden visit to India as Sri Lankan President, said India's growth would be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region.
"I have congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the great strides India continues to make under his leadership in economic infrastructure and technological progress in ensuring growth and prosperity for the people of India," Wickremesinghe said.
"I have also appraised Prime Minister Modi of the extraordinary challenges that Sri Lanka has experienced in economic, social and political terms in the past year and of the reform measures I have spearheaded on a number of fronts in overcoming these challenges," he further said.
Earlier, PM Modi held a meeting with the Sri Lankan President and discussed on boosting overall economic and strategic cooperation, the MEA said.
"An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing India-Sri Lanka ties as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.