India, Sri Lanka exchange five agreements

New Delhi: India and Sri Lanka yesterday exchanged five agreements covering crucial areas of economic cooperation. Addressing media after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi, 

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on renewable energy and Memorandum of Cooperation for economic development projects in Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. He said another key outcome is an agreement between NIPL and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. He said it would ease up the payment flow mechanism between the two countries.

 

Foreign Secretary said tourism flow from India was a highlight of the discussions between the two leaders.



India is currently the largest source of inbound tourism in Sri Lanka. Both leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and acknowledged that the bilateral partnership and cooperation has been a source of great strength in overcoming the recent difficulties and challenges in Sri Lanka. The two leaders outlined a common vision of theirs to further develop the bilateral relationship in coming years centered on enhanced, extended and deepened connectivity and deeper economic partnership.

 

Mr Kwatra said India will be implementing a development package exclusively centered for the India origin Tamil community. He said Prime Minister also announced a multi sectoral package to support the economic development of the eastern province.