By Malik M Ashraf
The just concluded visit of the Sri Lankan President to Pakistan has undoubtedly given a new dimension to the bilateral relations between the two countries in view of the fact that both the countries have agreed to enhance their bilateral trade from the current volume of $ 375 million to $ 2 billion within the next three years besides expanding cooperation in the field of economy, defense, media and technical education. Till recent past, the bilateral relations between the two countries predominantly focused on defense cooperation, in view of Sri Lanka’s protracted war against the Tamil Tigers. It will perhaps not be an exaggeration to say that Pakistan actually helped Sri Lanka in ending the 30 years insurgency by providing the much needed arms and ammunition to the Sri Lankan government. The Tamil Tigers were so enraged by defence cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka that they even tried to kill the Pakistani Ambassador in 2006, who was lucky to escape the attempt on his life.
The process of expansion and diversification of bilateral relations between Sri-Lanka and Pakistan actually started when President Zardari visited Sri Lanka in December 2010. The present visit of the Sri Lankan President in fact has consolidated the gains of the understanding that was reached between leaders, earlier. The refurbished relationship is characterized by the vision and realization by the two sides that their cultural heritage provides a sound basis for building and nurturing a multi-faceted partnership to their mutual advantage. Their shared values, common concerns regarding regional security justified an increased synergy of their economies and reinforcing of the institutional framework for cooperation. The two sides agreed to multi-sectoral cooperation and consequently three agreements and one MOU were signed during the visit to formalize the cooperation in different fields.
One agreement pertained to waiving off visas for officials and diplomats to facilitate increased level of interaction between the two countries. Under the second agreement on Customs, both the countries agreed tp make efforts and cooperate with each other in prevention, investigation, prosecution, transfer of illicit substances and illicit trafficking in narcotics. The third agreement for cultural cooperation expressed commitment by both the countries in spiking relations in the fields of arts, culture, creative studies, archaeology, sports, education, information and media. To achieve the objectives of this protocol, it was agreed to enhance exchange of cultural delegations in addition to holding of exhibitions for promoting and highlighting cultural heritage of both the countries. The MOU on agriculture focused on cooperation for the mutual benefit. Pakistan also offered Sri Lanka US$ 200 million buyers credit facility giving Sri Lanka the option to make the payment either on barter or in local currency,
which was very much appreciated and welcomed by the Sri Lankan side.
The high point of the parleys between the two Presidents was the decision to reinvigorate the Joint Economic Commission and task it to work out modalities for a new and unconventional phase of economic cooperation marked by barter trade, currency exchanges and banking interchanges. Sri Lanka is the first country which has signed Free Trade Agreement with Pakistan which became effective in June 2005 under which 4000 items can be imported from Sri Lanka. There has been a significant increase in the volume of trade between the two countries in the last four years after the signing of this agreement.
The two sides agreed to further strengthen the commercial ties by vigorously pursuing the objectives of this agreement. Another achievement of the visit was the restoration of PIA flights to and from Colombo from March 2010 which opened more vistas of business and trade between the two countries besides boosting amity between the two people. Sri Lanka also has very friendly and cordial relations with China which gives an added strength to the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It is also a very important member of SAARC and shares Pakistan’s perceptions about regional security and expanding the scope of the organization to include political aspects of relations among the SAARC countries which India has been staunchly opposing.
Sri Lanka like Pakistan also abhors and rejects Indian hegemony in the region. The commonality of views on these issues is yet another strong pillar of Pak-Sri Lanka relations. Sri Lanka has always stood by Pakistan like a true friend. When all the cricket playing countries showed their reluctance to send their teams to Pakistan on the pretext of rampant incidents of terrorism, it was Sri Lanka who showed solidarity with it by sending its team to play here. It was however most unfortunate that the terrorists were able to spoil the show by attacking the Sri Lankan team. Pakistani government and people very much appreciate that gesture and hold the Sri Lankan government and its people in the highest esteem. Sri Lankan government also extended valuable assistance to Pakistan during the recent floods.- Pakistan Observer