Sri Lanka Economic Crisis: India To Continue Sending Aids In Line With 'Neighbourhood First' Policy

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said this in response to a question in the weekly press briefing on Thursday.

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi (ANI photo)

New Delhi: India on Thursday said it is ready to continue to extend support to Sri Lanka facing a severe economic crisis under its 'neighbourhood first' policy to bring its economic condition back on track and is closely monitoring developments there.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said this in response to a question in the weekly press briefing on Thursday.

"Since mid-March, over 270,000 metric tonnes of diesel and petrol have been delivered to Sri Lanka. In addition, around 40,000 tonnes of rice have been supplied under the recently extended USD 1 billion credit facility," Bagchi said at a media briefing.

"We have already conveyed to them on various occasions our readiness to extend whatever support we can and as has been demonstrated by our actions till now," he said.

He said that India has provided assistance of 2.5 billion dollars to the neighboring country in the last three months to overcome some of the economic difficulties being faced by the people of Sri Lanka.

The Spokesperson said the credit facility covers food grains and fuel and till mid-March, 270,000 metric tonnes of fuel was supplied to Sri Lanka.

Apart from this, 40 thousand tonnes of rice has been supplied to Sri Lanka under the recently provided one billion line of credit, he said.

Significantly, Sri Lanka is currently facing the worst economic crisis. Due to the shortage of foreign exchange in the country, there has been a shortage of essential goods like fuel and cooking gas. There is power cut for 12 hours a day.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Bagchi said that India-Sri Lanka relations are based on the values ​​and aspirations of the people based on a common civilization.

"Our cooperation, based on commonality and interests, has been strengthened in recent months. We see the recent developments in this perspective and stand ready to continue working with Sri Lanka for rapid post-COVID economic recovery in line with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy," Bagchi said.

He said: "As a neighbour and close friend, India has been keenly following the evolving economic situation and other developments in Sri Lanka."