Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a 400 million dollar line of credit for infrastructure development in Sri Lanka and special 50-million dollar soft loan for the island nation to combat terrorism as he held talks with visiting Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is here on his foreign visit since winning elections two weeks ago.
Addressing a joint media conference with Rajapaksa at the Hyderabad House here, Modi said he has assured Rajapaksa of India's commitment to a development partnership with Sri Lanka. He said a new $ 400 million line of credit will give a boost to infrastructure and development in Sri Lanka and expressed confidence that the Sri Lankan economy will benefit and the soft loan will also accelerate the project cooperation of mutual benefit between the two countries.
The line of credit for Sri Lanka’s infrastructure sector assumes significance as China is already a major player in the same area in that country. Modi said he has discussed in detail with the Sri Lankan President “mutual security and to further strengthen mutual cooperation against terrorism.”
Sri Lankan police officers in major Indian institutions are already receiving the benefit of counter terrorist training, he said adding “I am happy to announce a special Line of Credit of 50 million dollars to Sri Lanka to combat terrorism.” Modi said India has always opposed terrorism in all its forms and also expected action from the international community against all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism.
Pointing to the deadly Easter terror attack in Sri Lanka in April this year which left 250 people dead, Modi said he had visited the island nation immidiately after the elections in India to express India's unwavering support in the Sri Lankan fight against terrorist and extremist forces.
Terming India as Sri Lanka's “closest maritime neighbor and a trusted friend”, he said that “in line with my government's "neighborhood first" policy and security and growth doctrine for the Indian Ocean region, Modi said India prioritized “our relations with Sri Lanka.” “The security and development of our two countries are inseparable. Therefore, it is natural that we should be aware of each other's safety and sensibilities,” Modi said.
Modi said that under the Indian Housing Project, 46,000 houses have been constructed for the internally-displaced in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka and there is good progress in the construction of 14,000 houses for Tamils of Indian origin in the upcountry region.
The Indian PM said the two sides also agreed to use the previously announced $ 100 million credit line for solar projects in Sri Lanka early.
“There was a good discussion between President and me on 20 community development projects and other people-centric projects issued by India in Sri Lanka on the basis of grants in education and infrastructure,” he said. Modi said he also exchanged views with Rajapaksa on reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
“President Rajapaksa told me about his inclusive political outlook on ethnic harmony. I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will carry forward the process of reconciliation, to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils for equality, justice, peace and respect. It also includes the implementation of the 13th amendment,” Modi said adding “India will become a trusted partner for development throughout Sri Lanka including North and East.
