At Bimstec, Modi pushes regional connectivity

We would like to see the development of Sri Lanka as something to which India has contributed which is of mutual benefit to the region — PM Office

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BIMSTEC leaders calls on Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari in Kathmandu on Thursday. Making a strong pitch for enhanced regional connectivity. Mr Modi said India is committed to work with BIMSTEC member states in critical sectors and to combat the menace of terrorism and drug trafficking. “I believe that there is a big opportunity for connectivity — trade connectivity, economic connectivity, transport connectivity, digital connectivity, and people- to- people connectivity,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of the 4th BIMSTEC summit. He also called for joint humanitarian assistance during natural disasters and invited the member states to the International Buddhist Conclave being organised in India in August 2020. Report on Page 9

Kathmandu, Aug. 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that he had “extensive deliberations” on various aspects of IndiaSri Lanka ties during a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena here, and expressed willingness to assist the country in any way that it desires.

Prime Minister Modi had a positive exchange of views with Sri Lankan President Sirisena on strengthening development cooperation and other areas of bilateral ties, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

The two leaders met in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on the sidelines of the 4th Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( BIMSTEC) Summit which is being held from August 30- 31. “Delighted to meet President @ MaithripalaS. We had extensive deliberations on various aspects of India- Sri Lanka friendship,” Modi tweeted.

“Cementing cooperation with a valued neighbour and close friend. President @ MaithripalaS and PM @ narendramodi meet on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale, during a briefing, said that Prime Minister Modi met President Sirisena and the two leaders reviewed a development cooperation that the two countries are undertaking together. “A number of projects that we are doing in Sri Lanka was discussed and the Prime Minister reiterated that India is fully committed to ensuring that we will assist Sri Lanka in any way that it desires in taking these projects forward.