Courtesy NewsIn.Asia

Both sides agreed that the infrastructure development projects initiated with the assistance of India should be completed expeditiously

Colombo, November 28 (newsin.asia): The National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval called on Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday.

President Rajapaksa and the Indian National Security Advisor engaged in a highly fruitful discussion” aimed at further strengthening all forms of bilateral relations.

Indo-Lanka security cooperation, maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean region, and infrastructure development in Sri Lanka were among the major topics discussed.

Both sides agreed that the infrastructure development projects initiated with the assistance of India should be completed expeditiously.

Doval expressed India’s willingness to identify and invest in new fields that can contribute to the economic growth in Sri Lanka.

Both the President and the Indian Security Advisor stressed the need to further consolidate mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation which is already at a very satisfactory level.

A meeting between Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was held on Friday, at the Wijerama Residence.

Mr Doval has conveyed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory message to PM Rajapaksa and Sports & Youth Minister Namal Rajapaksa on a successful election.

The Indian NSA said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many countries in the region had to face similar economic and social problems. However, economic revival and governance must continue in order to overcome the obstacles of this pandemic. He stated that despite the Covid-19 epidemic, a lot of diplomatic deliberations have been held virtually on the development of bilateral relations and foreign affairs between leaders.

Doval further said that immigrant workers, both from Sri Lanka and India, have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic and this has reduced the inflow of foreign currency.

Prim Minister Rajapaksa has been instrumental in creating a dialogue between the countries of the region to devise strategies to develop the economy, to address the strategies of economic development and to address the recession inferred, Mr Doval noted.

The Indian NSA assured that the government of India would extend its full support in reviving both nations and that despite the Covid-19 situation, development in the region should be prioritized.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa stated that housing projects have been implemented in the north-east and upcountry areas with the assistance of the government of India and requested India to commence such housing projects with a clear approach. Doval reassured the Indian government’s utmost support in this regard.

Under the guidance of Indian PM Narendra Modi, it was agreed at this meeting to adopt modern technology and to focus on drinking water supply projects initiated in India and to adopt such technology in Sri Lanka also.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Mr Gopal Baglay and Secretary to Prime Minister Gamini Senarath have also attended the event, the Office of the Prime Minister said.