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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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Sri Lanka - India defence pact to be finalised by Rashomi Silva Proposed Defence Agreement between Sri Lanka and India aimed at boosting defence cooperation between the two countries will be finalised soon, Defence sources said yesterday. A discussion was held between visiting Indian delegation led by Ranjith Issar a senior Defence Ministry official and senior officials here, sources said. "A five member delegation led by Indian Additional Defence Secretary Issar met Services Chiefs and senior officials from the Defence and Foreign Ministries recently to discuss about the proposed agreement," a top defence official said. Discussions centred on military training, exchange of military information and intelligence between the two countries, joint military exercises and maritime surveillance, he added. A senior High Commission official said the contents of the agreement are discussed at different levels, "But nothing was finalised yet." The LTTE and their allies in Tamilnadu political arena have voiced their opposition for the signing of the agreement but officials here were optimistic the agreement could be signed before the end of the year. Entering into an agreement with the government, is a clear signal India supports to protect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Sri Lanka and that will deprive any assistance to any external or internal force to undermine sovereignty of the country a senior official explained. |
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