Economic Ties a Key Pillar in India - Sri Lanka Relationship, Says PM Narendra Modi in Colombo: Highlights

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a gathering in the presence of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Colombo, as part of his tour of three island nations in the Indian Ocean.

Here are the highlights of what he said:

• I have eagerly looked forward to visiting one of our closest neighbours.
• I am aware of the significance of this visit. This is the first stand-alone visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Prime Minister since 1987.
• I am glad to be here so soon. This is how it should be between neighbours. We should meet regularly, understand each other better, find solutions to mutual concerns and move our relationship forward.
• Economic ties are a key pillar of our relationship.
• Our trade has seen impressive growth over the past decade.
• I am aware of your concerns about trade with India. As I said in Delhi, we will try and address that.
• The agreement today, on cooperation between our customs authorities is a step in that direction.
• We will also simplify and reduce non-tariff barriers on both sides.
• We are not only addressing problems, we are also discussing new opportunities.
• India stands committed to making Tricoonmalee a petroleum hub. Joint task force will be constituted to work out the modalities.
• People are at the heart of our relations. We have taken a number of decisions to improve people-to-people connectivity.
• We will extend facility of tourist visa on arrival to Lankan nationals on the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14.
• Air India will soon start more direct flights between Delhi and Colombo.
• Ramayana trail in Lanka and the Buddhist circuit in India will be established.
• 'Festival Of India' will be held to showcase India's Buddhist heritage.
• Fresh line of credit offer of 380 million dollars to Sri Lanka's railway sector.
• We discussed the fishermen's issue. It concerns livelihood and humanitarian concerns on both sides.
• We need to find a long term solution.
• It is important that fishermen associations meet at the earliest.
• India has conveyed admiration on the efforts by President Maithripala Sirisena to build an inclusive future for Sri Lanka.
• It is a new journey of peace, reconciliation and progress. We stand with you to build future that accommodates all sections, including Tamils, for peace, justice and equality in Sri Lanka.
• We would would like to see the 13th Amendment implemented.
• India affirms its commitment to further strengthening peace.
• Meeting has been very productive. Gives me confidence and optimism about the future of our relations: PM