Sri Lanka is India’s closest and dearest neighbour: Indian HC Sinha
Indian High Commissioner Y. K. Sinha yesterday reiterated that India remains committed to assist all Sri Lankans in their efforts to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united country.
He was addressing India’s Independence Day celebrations Friday held at India House with the Indian expatriate community in Sri Lanka.
“As Sri Lanka votes in crucial parliamentary elections now, we look forward to working closely with the government that is elected by Sri Lankans, to further strengthen the strong edifice of our bilateral relations. As Prime Minister Modi said, our recent histories have shown that we have suffered together; and we are more effective when we work with each other,” he said.
“On the eve of parliamentary elections, Sri Lanka is poised to embark upon a new journey of peace, reconciliation and progress. In the light of the civilisational ties that bind us, India will continue to extend its hand of friendship and support to Sri Lanka in this endeavour,” he said.
Pointing out that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is engaging the world with greater confidence and assurance, High Commissioner Sinha said India’s is pursuing a new neighbourhood policy of “Neighbourhood First”, which puts a premium on greater connectivity, stronger and mutually beneficial cooperation and deeper ties with its neighbours.
“There is also recognition that neighbours have a first claim on India, and Sri Lanka is amongst our closest and dearest of neighbours. Sri Lanka, too, has seen significant developments, including the landmark presidential elections, the formation of a government of national unity, constitutional reforms, and a renewal of hope for the future,” he said.
High Commissioner Sinha said that even though domestic developments in our countries have led to a revitalization of India- Sri Lanka relations soon after the new government took office, there have been four high level bilateral visits within 90 days of the formation of a new government in Sri Lanka, which heralded a new chapter in Indo-Lanka relations.
“President Maithripala Sirisena visited India in February, which was his first overseas visit after assuming office. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to Sri Lanka in March, the first stand alone bilateral visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Prime Minister since 1987. There was also an exchange of visits between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, underlining the friendship and cooperation between our two countries. These visits have imparted a new dynamism to our bilateral relations,” he said.
He also emphasized India’s commitment to development partnership with Sri Lanka, which has been reiterated by the Indian leadership on various occasions. Further assistance will continue to be disbursed with the same level of transparency that they expect in their own country.
“Our flagship Housing Project involving the construction of 50,000 houses in Sri Lanka has made excellent progress. During his visit to Jaffna, Prime Minister Modi had handed over houses to some beneficiaries in Ilavalai Northwest in Jaffna. We are hopeful of completing the second phase of the project on schedule by end-2015. For the third phase of the Housing Project, including construction of 4,000 houses in the Central and Uva Provinces, work is expected to start as soon as the modalities are worked out,” he said.
Recognizing that cricketing ties are a part of the shared societal fabric of the two countries, currently the Indian Cricket Team is on tour in Sri Lanka and is playing a three- Test series, with the first Test being played at Galle. As a part of India Festival, India, with the cooperation of Sri Lanka Cricket, will be organising an exhibition early next year, which will chronicle the cricketing ties between our two countries.