India may raise Lanka crisis at G-7 meet
India may take up the dire economic situation in Sri Lanka with G-7 members, including the United States and Japan, on the sidelines of the forthcoming G-7 Summit in Germany. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending the summit as a special invitee and will convey that the island nation is facing an economic crisis that needs to be addressed, foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said in response to a media query at a special briefing on PM Modi’s visit to the G-7 Summit on Tuesday.
In response to another query on whether the recent controversy about the Prophet by two erstwhile BJP spokespersons would figure in discussions during the PM’s forthcoming visit to UAE, the foreign secretary said that India’s stand on the matter had already been explained to the Gulf countries and there was, therefore, no need for any further discussions on the matter now. It may be noted that India had conveyed to the outraged Gulf nations and several other Muslim-majority nations as well earlier this month that the derogatory comments had been made by fringe elements and were not the view of the Indian Government and that strong action had already been taken against those who made the comments.
In response to a query on India’s stand on the Ukraine conflict that is expected to figure at the G-7 meet, the FS said India had already spelt out its stand that there should be a cessation of conflict and the issue should be resolved through dialogue. He reiterated that India would represent its own interests but work towards solutions that would benefit the whole world.
As already reported earlier, PM Modi will begin a two-day visit to Germany on Sunday to attend the G7 meeting at Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps near the German city of Munich as a Special invitee and is expected to hold important bilateral visits with other leaders including US President Joe Biden although the schedules of the bilateral meetings are still being worked out. He is also likely to interact with members of the Indian Diaspora in Germany.
PM Modi will then make a visit to the UAE on Tuesday to personally offer his condolences at the recent passing away of the then UAE President and Abu Dhabi ruler in what is being seen as an important move to cement ties with the important oil-rich Gulf region. Enhancing bilateral trade and investment as well as strengthening strategic ties will also be a priority during the PM’s visit to UAE.
On Sri Lanka, the foreign secretary — who visited the island nation on Thursday — pointed out that India had been a “first responder” and at the forefront of already providing assistance to the tune of $ 3.5 billion to the island nation that is facing a dire economic crisis. He said financial, development and humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka were needed to enable the island nation make an economic recovery.