Modi meets Sri Lankan Prez, discusses civil nuclear cooperation
"The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is yet another demonstration of our mutual trust. This is the first such agreement Sri Lanka has signed. It opens new avenues for cooperation, including in areas like agriculture and healthcare," Modi told media after meeting Sirisena on his first foreign trip.
"President and I also agreed to expand our defence and security cooperation. We welcomed the progress in our maritime security cooperation, including in the trilateral format with Maldives," said he.
He said India is Sri Lanka's largest trading partner and both countries share a broad range of interests such as economic development; peace and prosperity in South Asia as well as maritime security in the region.
"I know that India enjoys a huge trade surplus. I expressed my support for a more balanced growth in trade in both directions. I conveyed our readiness to promote greater flow of Indian investments and tourists into Sri Lanka. We discussed expansion of cooperation in energy sector, both conventional and renewable," said the Indian PM.
Modi said he intends to further improve air and sea connectivity between India and Sri Lanka.
Speaking on various projects, Modi said, "The Indian assisted projects for Internally Displaced Persons in Sri Lanka have made excellent progress. This includes the Housing Project, under which more than 27,000 houses have already been constructed. President and I expressed satisfaction with the progress. "
"I assured President Sirisena of India`s commitment to its development partnership with Sri Lanka. This will continue to cover a broad range of areas, including infrastructure. In this context, I am also pleased with the MoU on cooperation in agriculture," said he.
Modi said that he and Sri Lankan President attached the highest importance to the fishermen`s issue.
"It affects livelihood on both sides. We agreed that there must be a constructive and humanitarian approach to the issue. We will encourage the fishermen`s associations on both sides to meet again soon. They should find a solution that can be taken forward by both governments," said he.
"I am also delighted that Sri Lanka is now part of the Nalanda University Project. It recalls a link forged 2300 years ago, by Prince Mahindra, known as Arhat Mahinda in Sri Lanka, and his sister Sanghamitra.They went to Sri Lanka as apostles of Buddhism," said Modi.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj earlier called on Sirisena.
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