Rajnath Singh, Sri Lankan PM review development cooperation
Colombo, Sep 9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya discussed development cooperation and capacity building among key areas of cooperation as the two sides reviewed progress across several sectors.
The two leaders exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest, including education, information technology, infrastructure, innovation and research, while also highlighting the enduring civilisational links and strong people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka during a meeting in Colombo on September 9.
Singh said India and Sri Lanka, as sister democracies with a shared heritage, should continue to pursue a common developmental vision aimed at promoting peace and prosperity in the region and improving the welfare of their people.
He identified capacity building as an important pillar of bilateral cooperation and expressed hope that his visit would provide fresh momentum to the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
The Defence Minister also highlighted the significance of women’s participation in public life, describing Prime Minister Amarasuriya as a role model for women in both Sri Lanka and India and a symbol of women’s empowerment.
Singh said India would encourage more Sri Lankan women to avail themselves of scholarships offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), as well as other Indian government programmes aimed at enhancing women’s participation in governance and leadership.
He noted that both India and Sri Lanka had produced several prominent women leaders who had made important contributions to nation-building.
The meeting was part of Singh’s engagements during his visit to Sri Lanka, which also included discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on strengthening the broader bilateral partnership, particularly defence and maritime security cooperation.
