India on Thursday assured Sri Lanka of its support to tide over “difficult times” as it welcomed the Trincomalee tank farm project saying it will augment bilateral energy security, the Press Trust of India and ANI reported.
India’s External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, when asked at a media briefing on the possibility of India extending the Credit Line to help Sri Lanka overcome its economic crisis, said it has always stood by the people of Sri Lanka.
After a telephone conversation with his Sri Lankan counterpart Prof.G.L.Peiris, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said India will support Sri Lanka in “these difficult times”.
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“Greeted FM G.L. Peiris of Sri Lanka in the New Year. A reliable friend, India will support Sri Lanka in these difficult times. Agreed to remain in close touch,” Dr. Jaishankar tweeted.
Dr. Jaishankar also stated that trade, as well as business, have grown and strengthened between India and Sri Lanka.
He added that there is bilateral collaboration in the domains of development, education, culture, as well as defence. As per the MEA, both nations have a broad awareness of significant international concerns, ANI reported.
On the fishermen’s issue, Bagchi said that the Indian High Commission in Colombo has been making efforts to ensure the early release of the remaining Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities last month.
Sri Lanka had detained a total of 68 fishermen and 12 of them have already been released.
Bagchi said both sides are in consultation for early holding of a meeting of the joint working group on fisheries.
On Sri Lanka’s Cabinet approving the deal to jointly develop the Trincomalee oil tank farm with India, Bagchi said it will boost bilateral energy cooperation.
“We have seen reports that the Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved the development of the Trincomalee tank farms. Energy security is an important area of our bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka,” he said.
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