Archives

Indian Foreign Minister here on Thursday

Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, will make an official visit to Sri Lanka from July 11-12.

During his two-day stay in Sri Lanka, he will hold talks with President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando. Minister Fernando will welcome the visiting Indian Foreign Minister on Thursday evening at the airport.

Talks between the two sides are expected to focus on Sri Lanka's peace process, the Indo-Lanka Trade Agreement and the regional situation.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday categorically ruled out any mediation in peace talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Responding to a question on whether New Delhi would be willing to mediate in peace talks due to begin shortly, Indian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao said: "No."

The Indian High Commission in a news release issued yesterday said the Foreign Minister's visit follows the recent visit of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to India in June, 2002, and is part of the ongoing process of close interaction that the two governments wish to maintain.

The Minister's visit is aimed at continuing the economic dialogue since the inception of India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in Delhi. Review talks on the FTA were held in June in New Delhi and in July, 2002 in Colombo. A Task Force is being set up to evolve an "FTA II and Beyond" agreement. The India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Agreement on supply of wheat has been operationalised.

The Minister's visit aims to consolidate the strong bilateral economic links set in place with Sri Lanka to catalyse growth and development in the region, the release added. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager