Picture : Twitter/ ANI
India and Sri Lanka have unveiled a vision document to significantly expand connectivity and economic ties even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to the island nation’s President Ranil Wickremesinghe the need to ensure a “life of dignity” for the Tamil community in that country.
Following talks between Modi and Wickremesinghe, the two sides announced a raft of initiatives including expediting work to connect their electricity grids, starting talks on an economic and technological cooperation pact, conducting a feasibility study for a petroleum pipeline and examining the viability of a land bridge to boost connectivity between the two neighbours.
In his media statement, Modi said the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are “intertwined” and it is essential to work together keeping in mind each other’s safety and sensitivities, in remarks that came against the backdrop of concerns in New Delhi over China’s attempts to expand influence over Colombo.
