India offers credits to boost Sri Lankan economy, security
Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary who is credited with ending the country's long civil war, was sworn in as the island nation's new president on November 18, a day after he won the closely fought presidential election in island nation.
After holding bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday extended a $400 million line of credit to the country to help strengthen its infrastructure and economy. He also announced an additional $50 million to help the country combat terrorism. (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)Rajapaksa arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit, in his first overseas tour after taking over the reins of Sri Lanka 10 days back in reflection of importance he attaches to ties with India. (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)The Sri Lankan leader said his expectations from the visit was very high. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajapaksa are holding talks covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties. "During my tenure as president, I want to bring the relationship between India and Sri Lanka to a very high level. We have a long-standing relationship historically as well as politically," Rajapaksa said. (Source: (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)On the lingering Tamil issue, Modi said he was confident that the Sri Lankan government will carry forward the reconciliation process and fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community. "The mandate that you have received reflected the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people for a strong and prosperous Sri Lanka. India's good wishes and cooperation are always with Sri Lanka in this regard," Modi said. (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)The Sri Lankan leader said his expectations from the visit was very high. "During my tenure as president, I want to bring the relationship between India and Sri Lanka to a very high level. We have a long-standing relationship historically as well as politically," Rajapaksa said. Both the countries need to work together on key issues like security, economic development and welfare of the people of India and Sri Lanka, he said. (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary who is credited with ending the country's long civil war, was sworn in as the island nation's new president on November 18, a day after he won the closely fought presidential election in island nation. Three days later, he appointed his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa as the prime minister. (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)On the fishermen issue, Modi said both sides agreed to continue talks and deal with the issue with a constructive and humane approach. Fishermen from the two countries are arrested frequently by maritime security agencies on charges of straying into each other's waters. "The president and I had a very good and fruitful discussion on bilateral ties and international affairs of mutual interest," Modi said. (Source: Express Photo by Premnath Pandey)
