Indo-Lanka ties reach new heights
Indo-Sri Lanka relations reached new heights
following President Mahinda Rajapaksa's recent State visit to India. The
two countries have agreed to further harness the enormous potential to
consolidate and strengthen the bilateral partnership by building on
shared values and principles of democracy and pluralism.
Sri Lanka and India have enjoyed cordial relations from time
immemorial. The two countries have maintained excellent relations in
various fields - political, social, cultural or religious. These ties
reached a new peak after the Indo-Sri Lanka leaders met last week in New
Delhi for bilateral talks, having signed seven agreements.
India-Sri Lanka relations have diversified with the affluxion of
time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance including trade,
services and investment, development co-operation, science and
technology, culture and education. There is no doubt that the
understanding and goodwill which prevails between the two countries is
an eye-opener to the countries which entertain reservations and tend to
clash with their neighbouring nations.
Indian President Prathiba Patil said that the two South Asian
neighbours can forge a bilateral relationship in mutual co-operation
which could be taken as an example by the region and at international
level. Proposing a toast at the State banquet hosted to the visiting Sri
Lankan President at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi on Wednesday, the
Indian President said that the peaceful situation in the North would
help the bilateral ties between the two countries to reach new heights.
The Indian leaders commended President Rajapaksa for his commitment
to improve bilateral ties between the two nations. President Patil has
assured that India would continue to extend whatever assistance possible
to Sri Lanka in its development efforts. The proposed visit by Tamil
Nadu Parliamentarians could also be viewed as a catalyst in this regard.
It is indeed heartening to see India's commitment for development
work in Sri Lanka, especially the reconstruction of the Northern railway
track destroyed by LTTE terrorists. India will provide a soft loan of
US$ 800 million to upgrade railways, apart from the loans pledged
earlier amounting to Rs. 5,000 million.
The support extended by India during Sri Lanka's relentless battle
against terrorism is vividly etched in our memory. Despite mounting
pressure from Tamil Nadu politicians, the Indian Central Government
always stood by Sri Lanka through thick and thin and its right to battle
terror. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged his wholehearted support
to President Rajapaksa to crush the world's most ruthless terror outfit
which killed tens of thousands of innocent people during the past three
decades.
India has evinced a keen interest in supporting Sri Lanka in its
post-conflict development work. Under the bilateral agreements signed by
the two countries, India will help upgrade agriculture, school
buildings, housing, infrastructure and assist orphaned widows here. A
new cultural centre and a vocational training institute will be set up
in Jaffna while the Duraiappah Stadium will be upgraded to a
full-fledged sports complex with financial support from India.
India has taken several steps to support Sri Lanka in its
humanitarian assistance program, including the supply of family packs of
food and clothing, medicines, setting up a field hospital, an artificial
limb fitment camp and the resettlement of IDPs, including provision of
shelter material, cement bags and agricultural implements and deployment
of de-mining teams.
Another significant achievement during President Rajapaksa's state
visit to India is to embark on a massive housing project for displaced
families in the North. India and Sri Lanka would soon launch a massive
housing program in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, to cater to the
needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to terrorism.
President Rajapaksa said it was a matter of great satisfaction as
50,000 houses will be built under the joint program to provide shelter
to those forced to become IDPs as a result of separatist terrorism. The
contribution by India to ease the problem of housing for the IDPs is a
further manifestation of the deep and cordial relations between India
and Sri Lanka.
This is a clear indication of India's sincere commitment towards Sri
Lanka's speedy recovery from the conflict situation, moving towards
rapid rehabilitation and development of the North and the East. The
highest priority has been assigned to the implementation of this housing
program and steps will be taken to ensure that the resources made
available by India will be utilised expeditiously.
President Rajapaksa's high profile statesmanship has enabled Sri
Lanka to win the hearts of world leaders. Friendly countries strongly
backed Sri Lanka in difficult times, especially in its battle against
terrorism. These countries stood like rocks and supported Sri Lanka to
the hilt. When there were certain moves against Sri Lanka at the UN
Security Council, it was Sri Lanka's Asian neighbours who defended the
country.
Sri Lanka's independent foreign policy, implemented after President
Rajapaksa took office in 2005, was the key to the country's success of
winning the world. Many Opposition politicians hurled brickbats at
President Rajapaksa's international relations during the 2005
presidential election campaign. They were under an illusion that the
West could do anything and everything and promoted some local leaders
who would beg for everything from the West.
However, President Rajapaksa's exemplary foreign policy has won the
hearts of many countries and world leaders. While protecting its
sovereignty and territorial integrity, Sri Lanka has developed its
bilateral relations with many countries over the past four years. Be it
the West or the East, President Rajapaksa is immensely popular due to
his sincere commitment. President Rajapaksa has proved his charismatic
statesmanship in no small measure. |