External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has said that India and Sri Lanka are now looking forward to post-COVID cooperation.
Speaking at a joint media briefing with his Sri Lankan counterpart Dinesh Gunawardena, in Colombo today the External Affairs Minister said, the COVID pandemic has given the two sides an opportunity to collaborate even further.
Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka. He highlighted that both the neighbors are now facing immediate challenges of post-COVID recovery. The External Affairs Minister also spoke on the need to ensure aspirations of the minority Tamils are addressed within a united Sri Lanka.
Dr. S Jaishankar also stressed the cooperation between the two countries to ensure maritime security and safety. The Minister also said that he was looking forward to the early return of Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka.
Dr. S Jaishankar is visiting Colombo after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa held the virtual summit in September during which the two sides agreed to further expand ties in a range of areas such as anti-terror cooperation, maritime security and trade, and investment.