Prime Minister Ranil Wickremsinghe will visit India next week to set the agenda for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Colombo in May.
“The visit of the PM of Sri Lanka to India from April 25 is part of our continuing engagement with the Government of Sri Lanka at the highest level,” an Indian MEA spokesperson said, announcing the visit.
Officials said an MoU to develop the Trincomalee port’s prospects through operating a major oil-storage facility, LNG plant and piped-gas projects and developing it as a key transit point with major expressways and industrial zones in the region is in the final stages of negotiations. The two sides will also hold discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA), a version of the free trade agreement, and will be taken forward during Mr. Modi’s visit for the International Vesak Day, the annual Buddhist festival on May 12, officials told The Hindu.
Prime Minister Wickremsinghe, who frequently travels to India, is understood to be in the country on a private visit from April 25 to 29, to attend a wedding, but will spend April 26 in Delhi for official meetings.
Prime Minister Modi will host a lunch for him.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari will call on him, officials said.
Apart from the economic agenda, Premier Wickremesinghe is expected to discuss the ongoing dispute over fishing rights in the Palk Strait with Minister Swaraj. - The Hindu