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"Willing to talk with Colombo"

Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India is willing to discuss Sri Lanka's concerns about the Sethusamudram canal projectSouth Block officials told this correspondent.

Asked to comment on Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar's remarks that Colombo may take New Delhi to an international court as a "last resort," the officials said a meeting between India and Sri Lankan experts on the issue would take place soon.

A joint statement issued in Colombo on June 10, during the visit of External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh, said: "The exchange of views should continue with regard to the Sethusamudram canal project, as agreed during the meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and the Sri Lankan President in June 2005.

"Accordingly, the next meeting of experts to be held at an early date, preferably in July, will focus on environmental concerns with a view to reaching a common understanding for addressing them," the statement said.

In turn, the June 3 joint statement issued after a meeting between Dr. Singh and Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga, had stressed, "With regard to the Sethusamudram canal project, it was agreed that the exchange of views between the Indian and Sri Lankan technical experts should continue. This would be with regard to environmental concerns and prospects of closer economic cooperation between the two countries in the Palk Bay area."

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