The 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Comission, held in New-Dheli today, saw the two nations agree to increase bilateral trade by 100% to US $10 billion within the next three years.
The Joint Commission Meeting (JMC) co-chaired by, External Affairs Ministers of both nations, Prof G.L Peiris and Salman Khurshid, covered a broad range of ‘important” issues within the bi lateral relations of the two countries.
The two nations signed agreements that looked to “Combat International Terrorism and Illicit Drug Trafficking” and enhance significant security and defence issues.
Acknowledging the potential of increased tourism, the nations arranged to finalise air and ferry service agreements whilst developing a frame work for an enhanced economic partnership. Indicating the priorities in their relations, the commission agreed to hold another separate meeting that solely addressed the issue of tourism.
The meeting also decided to encourage further discussion between the fishing groups involved in the International Maritime Boundary Line disputes and speed up the completion of the, India funded, coal power plant in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka.
The JMC also expressed satisfaction with the ‘progress’ made in resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Tamils in the North-East, although Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister, G.L Peiris. failed to create further plans in a field that the international community deems to be in requirement of increased investment.
