Sushma visit: India, Lanka review bilateral issues

Colombo: India and Sri Lanka reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral issues, including defence and economic cooperation and the contentious fishermen’s issue, besides signing two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj concluded a two-day visit to this island nation on Saturday.
Sushma Swaraj, who led an inter-ministerial delegation and co-chaired the ninth session of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera on Friday, also held a series of meetings with Sri Lankan leaders, including President Maithripala Sirisena, and delegations of political parties.
“The joint commission acknowledged the depth, intensity and uniqueness of the multifaceted India-Sri Lanka relations encompassing all spheres and founded upon civilisational and close people-to-people linkages,” a statement issued by the Indian high commission here on Saturday said.
Both sides took stock of the preparations underway to begin negotiations on the economic and technology cooperation agreement, according to the statement.
“India will be holding a workshop in early March in Colombo on non-tariff barriers (NTB) and phytosanitary barriers (PTB), regulations and procedures,” it stated. Cognizance was taken of the reconstitution of the CEOs Forum on either side and the
The two sides discussed ways for further collaboration in various projects that have been under discussion, including the upgrade of Palali airport, infrastructure development at Kankesanturai port, Sampur power plant and a special economic zone in Trincomalee. (IANS)