India today said that it sincerely believes that the development of infrastructure in Sri Lanka, in areas such as ports and energy, with foreign investment from India and Japan will be a mutually beneficial proposition.

Replying to a media query, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, Governments of India, Sri Lanka and Japan had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in May 2019 to develop and operate the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port in a trilateral framework. He said, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo is in discussion with the Government of Sri Lanka, including on the importance of adhering to international commitments.

On a query on Vaccine Cooperation, Mr Srivastava said, India has so far supplied vaccines to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait and South Africa. He said, supplies made under grant amount to 56 lakh doses and commercial supplies amount to over 100 lakh doses. The Spokesperson said, external supplies of vaccines are an ongoing process, depending on availability and domestic requirements. He said, In the coming weeks, Indian vaccines are scheduled to reach CARICOM countries, the Caribbean, Pacific Island States, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Mongolia, etc.

On a query on stranded Indian sailors in Chinese Waters, Mr Srivastava said, after sustained follow up by Indian Embassy in Beijing, the Chinese central authorities have conveyed their clearance to the local Foreign Office in Tangshan and Port Authorities for the transfer of crew of MV Anastasia. This information has also been shared with the Shipping Company. The Spokesperson said, we understand that the shipping company’s agent has submitted a request to the local Port Authorities and is coordinating with them on the modalities for crew change at Caofeidian port. He hoped that the crew change can now be effected at the earliest.