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| Monday, 19 July 2004 |
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India is keen on resuming peace talks Bharatha Malawaraarachchi reporting from New Delhi The Indian Government is very keen on the early resumption of peace talks between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was told yesterday. During talks with Prime Minister Rajapakse, Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the Indian administration is keen on the early resumption of peace talks. Chidambaram was among the senior ministers who met Premier Rajapakse, in India on a working visit to meet and discuss with several key figures in the Indian administration. "We spoke about the progress of the peace talks with the LTTE," Chidambaram told the media. Their discussion focused on a whole range of bilateral issues related to agriculture, construction and road development. They discussed India's expertise in these fields. The talks also touched on the dairy industry. "We have identified several problems in the Free Trade Agreement between the two countries and the decision will be taken to solve them in the future," Chidambaram told media after a meeting with the Sri Lankan Premier. He said the progress of the FTA and other agreements was reviewed at this meeting. The progress of the Indian Credit Line was taken up for discussion. However, Chidambaram said concrete decisions will be taken after discussions with indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister Rajapakse who is on his first official overseas visit is the first foreign dignitary invited by the new Indian administration. The Prime Minister will meet the Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today. This high level Sri Lankan delegation led by Premier Rajapakse comprises Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The delegation is scheduled to take up important bilateral issues with their counterparts with the aim of strengthening the longstanding relations between the two countries. The Sri Lankan delegation also includes Secretary to the Prime Minister Lalith Weeratunga and advisor to the Premier Sunimal Fernando. |
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