President Kumaratunga's visit to India - Joint statement
A joint statement to mark President Chandrika Bandaranaike
Kumaratunga's visit to India issued from Delhi said that Indian Prime
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said India maintains an abiding interest in
the security of Sri Lanka and remains committed to its sovereignty and
territorial integrity.
The release: "President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, paid a
working visit to India from June 2-4.
President Kumaratunga held cordial, wide-ranging discussions with the
Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. The discussions were
substantive and covered the gamut of bilateral relations between the two
countries, post-tsunami reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka, and
regional and international issues.
President Kumaratunga met Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the UPA. Shri
P. Chidambaram, Minister of Finance, and Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar,
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Panchayati Raj,
called on the President.
The two leaders noted that the forthcoming visit of the Indian
External Affairs Minister for the sixth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka
Joint Commission on June 10 in Colombo will provide a further impetus to
bilateral cooperation.
During the discussions between President Kumaratunga and Dr. Singh
both sides expressed their satisfaction with the excellent state of
bilateral cooperation in diverse areas. On the subject of economic
cooperation, they noted that bilateral trade recorded a volume of US$
1.8 billion in 2004 with the trade imbalance between of the two
countries having narrowed significantly. Taking stock of the encouraging
progress on negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA), the two leaders directed that the negotiations on the
CEPA be concluded by the end of 2005 so as to give a new thrust to
overall bilateral business activity as well as to encourage investments
in several areas of mutual interest and thereby to strengthen the
partnership in economic development between the two countries.
President Kumaratunga thanked the Prime Minister and the Government
and people of India for the generous assistance sent to Sri Lanka
immediately after the tsunami and for the further aid pledged.
The Prime Minister of India reiterated that India remains committed
to assist Sri Lanka's remarkable efforts to recover from the tragedy of
the tsunami of December 2004. Indian assistance would consist of a grant
of Rs. 100 crores for relief and reconstruction projects, a moratorium
on debt repayments for three years, as well as the factoring of
post-tsunami reconstruction priorities into existing and proposed lines
of credit.
President Kumaratunga conveyed to the Prime Minister her commitment
to ensure the full participation of all communities in the country to
ensure the delivery of relief and reconstruction assistance to those
affected by Tsunami. In this context, she apprised the Prime Minister of
her efforts to establish a Post Tsunami Operational Management Structure
(P-TOMS) for coordinating relief and reconstruction in areas affected by
the Tsunami. The Prime Minister expressed understanding of and support
for these ongoing efforts.
President Kumaratunga briefed the Prime Minister on the current
status of the peace process in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minister reiterated
India's support for the process of seeking a comprehensive, negotiated
settlement acceptable to all communities, and reflecting the pluralistic
nature of Sri Lankan society, within the framework of a united and
democratic Sri Lanka.
They emphasised the need for the early resumption of negotiations in
the peace process that will lead to a durable political solution that
maintains the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, and
guarantees the fundamental rights of all individuals while ensuring the
safety and prosperity of the people.
In their discussions on the peace process, concern was expressed over
ceasefire violations. Particular concern was expressed over the illegal
acquisition of air capability.
The Prime Minister of India stated that India maintains an abiding
interest in the security of Sri Lanka and remains committed to its
sovereignty and territorial integrity.
With regard to the Sethusamudram Canal Project, it was agreed that
the exchange of views between the Indian and Sri Lankan technical
experts should continue. This would be with regard to environmental
concerns and prospects of closer economic cooperation between the two
countries in the Palk Bay area.
The discussions between the two leaders reflected a large measure of
convergence of views between the two countries on a number of
international issues, including reform of the United Nations, the
elimination of terrorism, SAARC, and regional cooperation.
President Kumaratunga stated that her Government and people looked
forward to the visit of the Prime Minister of India to their country at
an early, mutually convenient date. The Prime Minister said he looked
forward to visiting Sri Lanka stating that he attached the highest
importance to the furtherance and strengthening of India-Sri Lanka
relations." |