Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in Sri Lanka
[Friday, November 24, 2006 - 5.30 GMT]

The Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Shivshankar Menon, currently in Sri Lanka, yesterday called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and other senior government officials for extensive discussions on a range of issues relating
to bilateral cooperation between the two countries. 

This is the Menon's first visit here since assuming duties as the Foreign Secretary. He arrived on Wednesday (22) and is scheduled to leave the island today (24).  

The discussions with the President focused on the current developments relating to the peace process, status of negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, proposed Indian investment in a Coal Power Plant in Trincomalee and on prospects for cooperation in the health and cultural spheres. 

Both parties noted in particular the satisfactory growth in the volume of trade since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement, which has now reached the US $ 2 billion mark. The need to conclude the ongoing CEPA discussions at the earliest and in a mutually beneficial manner was also underscored.  

President Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit India later this week.

PRINT THIS STORY

Contact Information: Send mail to gosl@presidentsl.org with questions or comments about this web site. 
Last Updated Date: November 24, 2006 -5.30 GMT