Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday called on his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan where the two leaders spoke about India-Sri Lanka ties. They noted that India and Sri Lanka are working on many key projects in several sectors and that the India-Sri Lanka development partnership has touched the lives of Sri Lankans in a positive way, a release by the Rashtrapati Bhavan mentioned. The meeting came after India and Sri Lanka on Friday unveiled a vision document to significantly expand connectivity and economic ties.
Welcoming Wickremesinghe to India, President Murmu said that Sri Lanka holds a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) Vision, the release informed.
"India’s multi-pronged support to Sri Lanka in the last one year to tide over its economic challenges is a testament to India’s long-standing commitment to bilateral relations with Sri Lanka," it added.
President Murmu highlighted that India has always stood with Sri Lanka during its hour of need and would continue to do so in the future as well. "Our partnership is enduring and beneficial to the common people of our two countries and the larger Indian Ocean Region," she said.
The President mentioned that India looks forward to continuing and strengthening its developmental partnership with Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Wickremesinghe.
During a bilateral meeting held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday asked Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to ensure that the Tamil minority there get a “life of respect and dignity” even as New Delhi reiterated “full implementation” of the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution.
Wickremesinghe, who was on a maiden 15-hour-long visit to India since being elected as the President post ousting of the Rajapaksa regime following months of economic crisis in the Island nation, met Prime Minister Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils. Will drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace. Will fulfil its commitment to implement the Thirteenth Amendment and conduct the Provincial Council Elections. And will ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka,” PM Modi said during his address to the press after meeting Wickremesinghe.
More On It: ‘Ensure A Life Of Respect, Dignity’ For Tamils in Sri Lanka, PM Modi Tells Wickremesinghe
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