February 04, 2023, New Delhi: Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry focusing on facilitating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and boosting bilateral trade.
The Hindu reported that India extended financial assistance worth around US 4 billion dollars to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for food and fuel purchases, last year when it was reeling under a severe economic crisis. New Delhi also guaranteed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a $2.9 billion bailout package.
“Nice to catch up with FM Ali Sabry of Sri Lanka. Thank him for his Raisina Dialogue 2023 participation,” Mr. Jaishankar said on Twitter. “We took stock of our cooperation focused on facilitating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. Discussions covered investment, trade and development partnership,” he said.
Mr. Sabry described the meeting as “constructive.” “I met with Dr. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, at Hyderabad House during my official visit to New Delhi. We had a constructive bilateral meeting and reviewed the current status of Indo-Lanka relations,” he said.
Mr. Sabry was in New Delhi to attend the Raisina Dialogue.
