India – Lanka relations robust under new Govt: Sinha
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Y.K.Sinha has observed that bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka have become robust and entered a new phase with highest-level engagements as four high level bilateral visits within 90 days of the formation of a new government last year heralded a new beginning.
He was delivering the opening remarks at the panel discussion “India – Sri Lanka Relations in the 21st Century” organized by the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies.
He stated that Sri Lanka is an integral part of Indian Prime Minister Modi’s “Neighborhood First” policy which recognizes that India’s growth is linked to the prosperity of its neighborhood. Prime Minister Modi has a vision of a neighborhood where trade, investment, ideas and people move seamlessly across borders, and a key element of this vision is strengthening bilateral ties with Sri Lanka, and other SAARC countries.
He added that he hoped that Sri Lankan businesses will take advantage of their proximity to India as India is becoming the fastest growing major economy of the world. The bilateral trade has remained buoyant, with two way trade at US$ 4.6 billion during 2015, of which Indian exports were around US$ 4 billion and Sri Lankan exports were around US$ 645 million. India is also among the top investors in Sri Lanka with cumulative investments of over US$ 1 billion since 2003.
He went on that the cornerstone of the bilateral trade relations has been the India – Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISLFTA), which has now been in force for more than 15 years and contrary to perception in certain quarters, both India and Sri Lanka have reaped tremendous benefits from the FTA.
He stressed that it is up to Sri Lankans themselves to decide on the contours of any agreement that they sign with a foreign country but he is happy that that a genuine debate has now begun in Sri Lanka on the issue, rather than a one-sided presentation of misinformation by some.
He explained that both countries crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)is a humanitarian issue which has livelihood implications stemming from long standing socio-economic patterns of subsistence. As a long term measure, India is providing financial assistance to their fishermen to move to deep sea fishing but the process will take some time.
He concluded that on the issue of ehnic problem, India’s consistent position is in favor of a negotiated political settlement, which is acceptable to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.
