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COLOMBO, May 12 (APD)— India aims to be a strong development partner to Sri Lanka as development corporation between India and Sri Lanka reaches 2.6 billion dollars, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here Friday.
Modi arriving as the Chief Guest at UN international Vesak Day in Colombo
Addressing the opening ceremony of the UN International Vesak Day in capital Colombo, for which Modi attended as the Chief Guest, the Indian Premier said that Sri Lanka and India had been significant partners in trade and investment and the free flow of trade, investment and technology across the borders will be to the mutual benefit of both the countries.
"India's rapid growth can bring dividends to the entire region especially in Sri Lanka," Modi said.
"Today India's development corporation with Sri Lanka amounts to 2.6 billion dollars and its only aim is to support Sri Lanka in realizing a peaceful prosperous and secure future for its people," he added.
Modi arriving as the Chief Guest at UN international Vesak Day in Colombo
He further highlighted that the economic and social well being of the people in Sri Lanka was linked with that of 1.25 billion Indians because whether it was of land or in the waters of the Indian Ocean, the security of the countries' societies was indivisible.
"My conversations with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have only reinforced our wills to join hands in achieving our common goals," he said.
"As you make important choices for the harmony and progress of our society India will be a friend and partner who will support Sri Lanka in its nation building endevours."
Further highlighting the importance of Vesak globally, Modi said that India's national airline carrier Air India will from August this year begin direct flights between Colombo and Varanasi, in northern India, which will allow Sri Lankans to visit the Land of the Buddha.
Modi arriving as the Chief Guest at UN international Vesak Day in Colombo
President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, speaking at the UN Vesak Day event thanked Modi for attending the celebrations and stressed that India and Sri Lanka had shared strong relations.
Modi who arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday will visit the up country region of Sri Lanka later Friday where he will inaugurate the Dickoya Hospital that has been built with Indian assistance, and have an interaction with the Indian-origin Tamil community.
He will conclude his visit on Friday evening.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
