Indian Prime Minister considers Sri Lanka as a very special partner in South Asian and Indian Ocean family
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India saw Sri Lanka as a “very special trust partner” in the “South Asian and Indian Ocean family.”
The Prime Minister has made this observation at the launch of a paramedic ambulance in the northern city of Jaffna recently.
Modi’s comments have came as India plans to commence a joint venture to operate an airport in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province after China was given a port in the same region on a 99 year lease.
According to reports, the paramedic service is backed by an Indian grant and is implemented by GVK-Emri, an Indian non-profit organization.
India has first given US$ 7.5 million to launch the service in the Western and Southern Provinces in Sri Lanka with 88 ambulances.
The Jaffna service was launched as part of a second US$ 15.02 million grant that will see 209 ambulances being set up in the remaining seven provinces.
The Indian Prime Minister joining the launch via satellite link has reportedly said that India would always remain the first responder for Sri Lanka in both good and bad times.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Economic Policy Minister Harsha de Silva has said, “I thank every single person who’s helped us thus far.” He has also said, “I thank the People of India for the almost USD 23m gift. We will continue to save lives!”
OSL take:
The statement by the Indian Prime Minister indicates the close relations between Sri Lanka and India. The historical ties between the two nations have been further strengthened through trade ties that have been benefited by a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. While many Indian companies have formed joint ventures with local businesses, the Indian government has continuously assisted Sri Lanka in its development programme. The strong trade ties between Sri Lanka and India could be beneficial to foreign businesses/investors interested in doing business in the South Asian region as well as India. Such foreign entities could look at setting up base in Sri Lanka to carry out their businesses with India as well as other South Asian countries. Sri Lanka also has an FTA with another key market in the South Asian region, Pakistan.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20180725/Z_5 |