India reaffirms its support for Sri Lanka in overcoming economic and other challenges

Jaishankar held a virtual meeting with Finance Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa on January 15, 2022, where both sides exchanged New Year greetings and conveyed wishes on the festival of Pongal celebrated both in India and Sri Lanka.

 

Furthermore, to help Sri Lanka overcome its economic challenges, India under the SAARC currency swap arrangement has made an extension of USD 400 million to Sri Lanka and provided a deferral of ACU (Asian Clearing Union) settlement of USD 515.2 million by two months, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement. Jaishankar, during the meet, said, that India will continue to extend a helping hand to Sri Lanka amid these tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“Dr Jaishankar conveyed that India has always stood with Sri Lanka, and will continue to support Sri Lanka in all possible ways for overcoming the economic and other challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic. As close friends and maritime neighbours, both India and Sri Lanka stand to gain from closer economic interlinkages.”, said the statement.

 

The Ministry in the statement also said, “Mr Rajapaksa recalled India’s longstanding cooperation with Sri Lanka and deeply appreciated the gestures of support.