Colombo, Aug 30 (IANS) National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval called on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Friday, holding discussions on the ongoing economic collaboration between the two neighbouring countries.
Sri Lanka’s National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka, who met NSA Doval on Thursday, also participated in the meeting.
Earlier in the day, NSA Doval met Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the latter’s office, discussing with him the “immense potential” for both countries to further strengthen economic cooperation.
“The Prime Minister said the energy sector is one area and thanked India for supporting the large scale and small scale alternative energy projects. He said that the government has taken steps to amend the Ceylon Electricity Board regulations to facilitate private sector participation in electricity generation and distribution and Indian investments could be increased in solar and wind power projects,” the Lankan PMO said in a statement after the meeting.
“Mr Doval said in the long run, Sri Lanka could generate more power than its domestic requirement and sell excess power to India and gain huge financial benefits. He pointed out that Bhutan is selling a large amount of hydro power generated electricity to India and it is the largest revenue of that country,” it added.
Gunawardena highlighted that the island nation’s Theravada economic policy is based on the economic practices in India 25 centuries ago during the times of Gauthama Buddha and it would be complementary for economic growth.
He also thanked India for providing training for Armed forces and the public servants to enhance their skills and efficiency.
The Indian delegation also included High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary Puneet Agrawal and many other senior officials.
NSA Doval is on a visit to Sri Lanka to attend the Colombo Security Conclave, the maritime security grouping of India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The visit takes just a few weeks ahead of Lankan Presidential elections scheduled for September 21.
Formed in 2011, the Colombo Security Conclave’s roadmap of activities was later expanded, with Mauritius joining as the fourth member and Bangladesh and Seychelles participating as observer countries.
The Conclave underlines regional cooperation and shared security objectives concerning all littoral nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It aims to make maritime security, marine pollution response and maritime search and rescue priorities for the region.
“Coordination amongst maritime neighbours holds the key for maritime safety and security in the IOR. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy are the prime initiatives for IOR and bears testimony to India’s policy priorities. A cooperative environment and collaborative mechanism in the maritime neighbourhood of IOR is essential to address the oceanic challenges, thereby ensuring maritime safety, security and protection of marine environment,” states the Indian Defence Ministry.
–IANS
as/
Disclaimer
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by TodayIndia.news and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of TodayIndia.news We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
Every effort is made to keep the website up and running smoothly. However, TodayIndia.news takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.
For any legal details or query please visit original source link given with news or click on Go to Source.
Our translation service aims to offer the most accurate translation possible and we rarely experience any issues with news post. However, as the translation is carried out by third part tool there is a possibility for error to cause the occasional inaccuracy. We therefore require you to accept this disclaimer before confirming any translation news with us.
If you are not willing to accept this disclaimer then we recommend reading news post in its original language.
