Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena have described as
"fruitful" the steps taken by the two countries to enhance bilateral relations.

In a telephonic interaction, Gunawardena thanked Jaishankar for the financial assistance and Covid-19 relief support extended by the government of India to combat the pandemic, ColomboPage reported.

During the discussion, the two ministers agreed to work in collaboration with the regional organizations such as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Plans were also exchanged to continue cooperation, especially through common platforms like Colombo Plan and Commonwealth.

The two ministers discussed at length the challenges posed by the Covid-19. Gunawardena wished the Indian External Affairs Minister that India will have all the strength to restore normalcy at the earliest occasion.

Several important matters of mutual interest for both countries were also discussed during the almost half an hour conversation.

Significantly, the interaction between the two foreign ministers came in the backdrop of a perceived tilt towards China in Sri Lanka’s diplomatic and strategic policies. The Sri Lankan parliament recently cleared a bill setting up a commission to govern the Chinese-funded Colombo Port City.

More recently, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also effusively praised China, even going to the extent of saying Beijing has helped Sri Lanka keep its independence.

(SAM)