BEIJING, Feb. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Sri Lanka's president has met with India's prime minister, in a maiden foreign visit to India seen as an effort to mend relations between the two nations. The two sides inked a civil nuclear deal and also decided to increase their economic engagement.
Sri Lankan President Maithripale Sirisena's meeting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is being seen as as effort to revive ties among the two neighbors. Sirisena and Modi's bilateral meeting led to a civil nuclear deal, first of its kind that Sri Lanka has signed.
"The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is yet another demonstration of our mutual trust. This is the first such agreement Sri Lanka has signed. It opens new avenues for cooperation, including in areas like agriculture and healthcare." Said Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister.
"The friendship between the two countries will help build stronger relations, not only locally but also on the global stage. Shared support and mutual understanding between our two nations will help strengthen ties." Said Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan President.
But the deal is one with a long-term vision. Currently Sri Lanka does not have nuclear program and that means the deal is not about technology transfer and will include India helping Sri Lanka in areas of nuclear energy when Sri Lanka decides to have a nuclear plant.
India and Sri Lanka have also decided to cooperate more on investment and trade to unlock the vast potential of economic partnership.
Last few years have seen an uneasy relationship between India and Sri Lanka with pressure on Sri Lanka to speed up post war reconciliation. India and Sri Lanka have also had issues on fishermen being arrested in each other's waters.
"President and I attach the highest importance to the fishermen's issue. It affects livelihood on both sides. We agreed that there must be a constructive and humanitarian approach to the issue," Said Modi.
Both the countries have also decided to expand cooperation in defence and security along with continuing maritime security cooperation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka in March.
Sri Lanka's president has met with India's prime minister, in a maiden foreign visit to India seen as an effort to mend relations between the two nations. The two sides inked a civil nuclear deal and also decided to increase their economic engagement.
Sri Lankan President Maithripale Sirisena's meeting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi is being seen as as effort to revive ties among the two neighbors. Sirisena and Modi's bilateral meeting led to a civil nuclear deal, first of its kind that Sri Lanka has signed.
"The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is yet another demonstration of our mutual trust. This is the first such agreement Sri Lanka has signed. It opens new avenues for cooperation, including in areas like agriculture and healthcare." Said Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister.
"The friendship between the two countries will help build stronger relations, not only locally but also on the global stage. Shared support and mutual understanding between our two nations will help strengthen ties." Said Maithripala Sirisena, Sri Lankan President.
But the deal is one with a long-term vision. Currently Sri Lanka does not have nuclear program and that means the deal is not about technology transfer and will include India helping Sri Lanka in areas of nuclear energy when Sri Lanka decides to have a nuclear plant.
India and Sri Lanka have also decided to cooperate more on investment and trade to unlock the vast potential of economic partnership.
Last few years have seen an uneasy relationship between India and Sri Lanka with pressure on Sri Lanka to speed up post war reconciliation. India and Sri Lanka have also had issues on fishermen being arrested in each other's waters.
"President and I attach the highest importance to the fishermen's issue. It affects livelihood on both sides. We agreed that there must be a constructive and humanitarian approach to the issue," Said Modi.
Both the countries have also decided to expand cooperation in defence and security along with continuing maritime security cooperation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka in March.
(Source: CNTV.com)
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