Finance
S. Jaishankar, the visiting External Affairs Minister (EAM), informed his Sri Lankan counterpart of India’s commitment to increase investment flows to the financially troubled southern neighbor in order to accelerate its economic recovery.
“Conveyed our commitment to increase investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten its economic recovery. Look forward to my discussions with the leadership tomorrow morning,” tweeted Indian EAM following his meeting with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry on Thursday evening.
“A good meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and other ministerial colleagues this evening in Colombo. Discussed India-Sri Lanka cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry and health,” Jaishankar said.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister also tweeted, “A pleasure to meet with S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India in Colombo. Discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship between our nations, people-to-people contacts, trade and investment ties and appreciated India’s steadfast assistance for Sri Lanka.”
Jaishankar’s visit to the crisis-hit neighbor came after India assured the IMF that it would support the restructuring of Sri Lanka’s debts.
Debt restructuring commitments from Sri Lanka’s major creditors — India, China, and Japan — are required to obtain the IMF’s $2.9 billion bridge loan — much needed immediate relief for the debt-ridden country.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed Parliament earlier this week that debt restructuring talks with India and China had been successful.
On January 19 and 20, India’s EAM will travel to Sri Lanka with a high-level delegation from the Ministry.
Source:IANS
