(UTV | COLOMBO) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed “Topical developments” during a telephone call on Saturday (13), an official press release said, just over a week before a crucial vote on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), where Colombo has sought New Delhi’s support, The Hindu reported.
The call, initiated by the Sri Lankan side according to officials sources, assumes significance amid strained bilateral ties, following Colombo’s recent policy choices on key infrastructure projects, including a decision to boot India out of a Colombo Port Terminal Project and an approval for a Chinese Energy Project in the Northern Islands, close to the Tamil Nadu Coast. New Delhi conveyed its displeasure on both moves. Colombo has subsequently offered an alternative Terminal Project and is negotiating with the Adani Group.
Had a telephone conversation with President @GotabayaR. We discussed issues relevant to our bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including in the context of COVID-19.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2021
“Had a telephone conversation with President @GotabayaR. We discussed issues relevant to our bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including in the context of COVID-19,” Premier Modi said in a tweet.
A media release issued by the Indian Government said, “The leaders reviewed topical developments and the ongoing cooperation between both countries in bilateral and multilateral forums. They agreed to maintain regular contact between relevant officials, including in the context of the continuing COVID-19 challenges,” and added that Premier Modi “Reiterated the importance of Sri Lanka” to India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.