Jaishankar, Ali Sabry discuss Sri Lanka’s economic recovery
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar today held wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry focusing on facilitating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery as well as boosting bilateral trade.
India extended financial assistance worth around INR 34000 Crores to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for purchases of food and fuel, last year when it was reeling under a severe economic crisis, the Hindu reported.
New Delhi also provided guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a INR 24600 Crores bailout package.
“Nice to catch up FM Ali Sabry of Sri Lanka. Thank him for his Raisina Dialogue 2023 participation,” Mr. Jaishankar said on Twitter.
“We took stock of our cooperation that is focused on facilitating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. Discussions covered investment, trade and development partnership,” he said.
Mr. Sabry described the meeting as “constructive”.
“I met with Dr Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India at Hyderabad House during my official visit to New Delhi. We had a constructive bilateral meeting and reviewed the current status of Indo-Lanka relations,” he said.
Mr. Sabry was in New Delhi to attend the Raisina Dialogue.
The External Affairs Minister also held separate bilateral talks with his Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly, Slovak foreign minister Rastislav Kacer and Armenia’s Ararat Mirzoyan
