“It was only natural for India to come forward,” Jaishankar said of Sri Lanka’s financial crisis.
New Delhi:
Amid the economic crisis, Foreign Minister Jaishankar said India’s support for Sri Lanka in difficult times when “blood is thicker than water” was a matter of course.
“Blood is thicker than water. It is natural for India to see what it can do to support Sri Lanka at this very difficult time,” Mr Jaishankar said.
At times of crisis, India pursues a policy of “neighboring countries first” and stands with neighboring countries time and time again.
Under the “Neighborhood First” policy, India has been coming forward to help Sri Lanka, which is heavily indebted. Most recently, New Delhi also distributed rations in Karmunai on March 16.
EAM S Jaishankar speaks at the opening of the Sri Lankan architect ‘Geoffrey Bawa’ exhibition in New Delhi on Friday.
“(Sanjay) Kulatunga, Trustee, Geoffrey Bawa Trust) and I were talking about (India and Sri Lanka) and I reminded him of the saying that blood is thicker than water. For us, in difficult times it is natural that we should look at the What can be done within our resources, capabilities and efforts to support Sri Lanka during this very difficult time,” Mr Jaishankar said at the event.
“When I think of Sri Lanka, Geoffrey Bawa is a figure that comes to mind,” said EAM.
“He was the father of the Tropical Modernism movement. Introduced us to visit the Parliament building. What we saw was very simple and revolutionary and inspired many other parts of the world. His achievements are not only in Sri Lanka,” he added.
“I believe this exhibition will foster a very close relationship between the two countries,” EAM said.
Speaking about the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, Jaishankar said, “It is only natural for India to come forward. Blood is thicker than water. It is natural in difficult times. I always believe that you will get through it but the important thing is to have true friends.” Supporting you (Sri Lanka).”
“Culture is an expression of people-to-people exchanges, and today we are exchanging a lot. Sri Lanka is an important part of our common history. I am delighted to be here to showcase the work of renowned artist Geoffrey Bawa,” Mr Jaishankar added.
Sri Lankan Special Envoy Milinda Moragoda and MoS External Affairs Minister Meenakshi Lekhi were also present at the opening of the exhibition.
Geoffrey Bawa is a Sri Lankan architect. He is one of the most influential Asian architects of his generation. He was born in 1919 and died in 2003.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabri said during the Raisina Dialogue “Creativity Pod” in early March that India has helped Sri Lanka more than any other country, especially as the island nation is going through an unprecedented crisis.
India also provided aid worth $3.9 billion in early January to help Sri Lanka sustain itself amid severe economic and financial crisis and meet its urgent needs for medicines, cooking gas, oil and food, Sri Lankan news Publication News reported on the 19th.
The Export-Import Bank of India and the State Bank of India have extended an export credit line worth $1.5 billion to Sri Lanka for imports of essential goods. India also struck a $400 million deal with Sri Lanka to help protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
According to News 19, a US$1 billion line of credit for essentials, US$500 million for fuel and US$55 million for fertilizers have been provided to Sri Lanka.
India has been giving donations to Sri Lanka out of goodwill and humanitarian aid. India will provide 500 buses to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Transport. The Indian High Commission handed over a total of 75 buses to Sri Lanka from Gopal Bagalay.
(Aside from the title, this story is unedited by NDTV staff and published via a syndicated feed.)
