India-Sri Lanka Partnership Important to Strengthen Bilateral Ties: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

GG News Bureau

Colombo, 4^th Oct. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday said that it is essential that India and Sri Lanka strengthen economic partnership and build on the foundation of common purpose defined by mutual benefit, mutual understanding and good neighbourhood. He said that India and Sri Lanka should work together to deepen the bilateral ties.

Speaking at the launch of Indian development cooperation projects at the ‘Temple Trees’, the official residence of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Shringla said that the economies of India and Sri Lanka have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Shringla was quoted as saying, “In our respective countries, we are making efforts for social and economic reforms at a rapid pace. It is imperative that we work together to strengthen the economic partnership and deepen bilateral relations built on the foundation of a common purpose defined by mutual benefit, mutual understanding and good neighbourhood.

He said, ‘I would like to take this opportunity to say that on our part we will leave no stone unturned to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on our socio-economic relations and stand with the Government of Sri Lanka in its post-COVID reform efforts.’

Shringla reached Sri Lanka on Saturday on a four-day visit. He said that the Government of India will help in the development of facilities for tourists and devotees in areas related to Ramayana in Sri Lanka. The Foreign Secretary said that he is proud to attend the inauguration ceremony of Indian development projects in Sri Lanka.