The Hindu : National : India offers $150m credit to Sri Lanka

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004

National

National

India offers $150m credit to Sri Lanka

By Our Special Correspondent

A TOUCH OF WARMTH: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. -- Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI, JULY 19 . India today offered $150 million credit to Sri Lanka for petroleum imports and also conveyed an `in principle' decision to extend a $100 million line of credit for upgradation of rural infrastructure, the specifics of which would be decided later.

The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, conveyed the Indian offer of assistance during his meeting with the visiting Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse. The two leaders also discussed bilateral and other issues of mutual interest and expressed satisfaction over the progress of bilateral relations. Developments in the Sri Lankan peace process were reviewed and Dr. Singh highlighted India's support for a solution which protected the rights of all Sri Lankan citizens while maintaining the territorial integrity of that country. Mr. Rajapakse sought technical and economic assistance for the development of rural infrastructure, particularly rural roads in his country.

During his three-day visit, the first by him after becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Rajapakse held talks with the Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, the Agriculture Minister, Sharad Pawar, and the Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Oscar Fernandes.

He also met the National Security Adviser, J. N. Dixit. The Congress president and the United Progressive Alliance Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, also called on the Sri Lankan leader.

After discussions with Dr. Singh and other Central Ministers, Mr. Rajapakse said he was satisfied with the visit and was looking forward to India playing a prominent role in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the North Eastern province.

The Sri Lankan Premier also called on the President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The launching of a ferry service between an Indian port and Colombo were also discussed.

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