Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held wide-ranging talks with visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and conveyed to him the Indian expectation that his government will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation and ensure a life of respect and dignity for it.
It has been reported that the discussion largely emphasised on boosting overall economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
The two countries also unveiled a roadmap for a deeper economic partnership.
"Following wide-ranging talks between Modi and Wickremesinghe, the two sides announced a raft of initiatives including expediting work to connect their electricity grids, begin talks on an economic and technology cooperation pact, a feasibility study for a petroleum pipeline and check viability of a land bridge to boost connectivity between the two neighbours," reported PTI.
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The Sri Lankan President arrived in Delhi on Thursday on a two-day visit.
While addressing the press conference today, PM Modi said, "Being close friend, as always, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people of Sri Lanka even during crisis."
Emphasising on the bilateral security interests, PM Modi added, "We believe that security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined. It's necessary we work together keeping in mind each other's security interests, sensitivities."
Moreover, PM Modi also focused on the shared economic partnetship between India and Sri Lanka.
"Today we have adopted vision document for our economic partnership. Vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education, skill development, connectivity", PM Modi said.
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The issue of the Tamils also featured prominently in the conversations, reported PTI.
Modi highlighted the need for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, reported PTI.
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it, noted PTI, adding that the 13th amendment was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987.
In his media statement after the talks, Wickremesinghe said he shared with Modi the "comprehensive proposal" he presented this week for "furthering reconciliation, power sharing through devolution and the multiple elements of the Northern development plan".
Modi said, "We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe told me about his inclusive approach.
"We hope that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamils; will drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace; will fulfill its commitment to implement the 13th amendment and conduct the provincial council elections. And will ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka.
Talking about the 75th anniversary of India-Lanka diplomatic ties, Modi announced implementing various projects worth Rs 75 crore for the Indian-origin Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka, reported PTI.
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Modi said, "Also, the Indian-origin Tamil community is completing 200 years of its arrival in Sri Lanka. I am happy to say that on this occasion, various projects worth Rs 75 crore will be implemented for the Indian-origin Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka. Along with this, India will also contribute to the development programs in the northern and eastern region of Sri Lanka."
Wickremesinghe said he shared with Modi his comprehensive proposals for reconciliation, power-sharing through devolution, and the Northern development plan, reported PTI.
He said, "I also shared with him the comprehensive proposal I presented this week for furthering reconciliation, power sharing through devolution and the multiple elements of the Northern development plan.
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"I have invited all party leaders in Parliament to work towards consensus and national unity on these measures. Thereafter the Government will place the relevant legislation before Parliament."
Wickremesinghe said Modi has "expressed his solidarity and goodwill in these endeavours."
Ahead of the high-level talks between the two top leaders, NSA Ajit Doval called on Wickremesinghe and is understood to have discussed security cooperation between the two countries.
On Thursday evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the visiting leader and discussed various bilateral issues.
This is the first tour of India by a senior Sri Lankan leader since the island nation was hit by an unprecedented economic meltdown last year.
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In a bid to help the island nation to recuperate from the crisis, India extended financial assistance worth around USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for purchases of food and fuel last year when it was hit by the economic crisis.
New Delhi also provided guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a USD 2.9 billion bailout package.
"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 on Twitter as the two leaders began talks.
