EDITORIAL: STILL INCOMPLETE; INDIA-SRI LANKA TIES
Current affairs for 25th July, 2023
EDITORIAL: STILL INCOMPLETE; INDIA-SRI LANKA TIES
Sri Lanka and India released a joint statement on economic cooperation, "Promoting Connectivity, Catalyzing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision".
It lays put the vision in five areas: maritime, air, energy, trade and people-to-people initiatives.
New investments in maritime and air connectivity will involve developing ports and airports in Sri Lanka, resuming ferry services and expanding flight networks to Tamil Nadu.
A major surge in energy will include developing renewable energy wind and solar plants in Sri Lanka. A MoU was signed to operationalise UPI digital payments in Sri Lanka and to designate Indian Rupee as currency for trade. The leaders also explored tourism and cultural and religious travel and educational collaboration.
However, there was criticism over lack of acknowledgment of S.L's previous commitments over the 13A constitutional amendment for devolution of powers to the north and eastern provinces, and for resolving the issue of arrest of Indian fishers. Mr. Modi, in his speech, emphasized a "life of respect and dignity" for the Sri Lankan Tamil community.