Lankan Ranger
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India Suddenly in Love with Sri Lanka
India has stepped up its diplomatic activities in Sri Lanka with a flurry of visits by high-profile government representatives. Even as Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao ended her tour of the island last week, Indian Army chief General V. K. Singh arrives here today (September 5) on a five-day visit.
General Singh served in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka in 1987. His arrival is preparatory to the Indo-Lanka defence dialogue scheduled to begin next year. Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma visited the island two months ago.
As New Delhi prepares to enhance defence cooperation with Colombo, Indias Air Chief Marshal P V Naik is expected to be here before year-end as is Indian defence secretary Pradeep Kumar.
During her meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo last Wednesday, Ms Rao is understood to have touched upon the topic of defence cooperation.
She is also said to have conveyed to President Rajapaksa, the Indian governments eagerness to see a political process begin.
According to sources, Ms Rao told the President that while India welcomed the Sri Lankan governments focus on development and rehabilitation of the war displaced people, New Delhi looked at Colombo for a long-term perspective that also includes the issues relating to the political settlement that would meet some of the needs of the minorities.
The sources said that President Rajapaksa is understood to have constantly told Ms Rao that he was focused on that (political solution) need and that he plans to move on it and that he has his sight set on it. During the meeting at Temple Trees, the President is said to have assured her that his government was aware about how India was looking at the issue of political settlement.
Indian foreign minister S. M. Krishna will be here next month seems to reflect the domestic concerns.
According to the sources, Ms Rao is also said to have assured President Rajapaksa that India would continue to aid and support Sri Lankas efforts towards people-centric rehabilitation.
Ms Rao raised the issue of violence against Indian fishermen in international waters and suggested that regular meetings of the joint working group on fishing be held so as to look into the cases of their alleged harassments.
President Rajapaksa said that Indian investor interest in Sri Lanka is rapidly growing, and that several leading Indian entrepreneurs in the industry and other sectors have expressed interest in setting up business in Sri Lanka, the Presidents media unit said in a statement released after the meeting on September 1.
Besides, Ahmedabad-based Self-Employed Womens Association (SEWA) will provide war-widows in Batticaloa with vocational training to help restore their livelihoods. SEWA is an Indian NGO with years of experience in womens empowerment.
After Rao, Indian Army Chief here, more to follow
India has stepped up its diplomatic activities in Sri Lanka with a flurry of visits by high-profile government representatives. Even as Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao ended her tour of the island last week, Indian Army chief General V. K. Singh arrives here today (September 5) on a five-day visit.
General Singh served in the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka in 1987. His arrival is preparatory to the Indo-Lanka defence dialogue scheduled to begin next year. Indian Navy chief Admiral Nirmal Verma visited the island two months ago.
As New Delhi prepares to enhance defence cooperation with Colombo, Indias Air Chief Marshal P V Naik is expected to be here before year-end as is Indian defence secretary Pradeep Kumar.
During her meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo last Wednesday, Ms Rao is understood to have touched upon the topic of defence cooperation.
She is also said to have conveyed to President Rajapaksa, the Indian governments eagerness to see a political process begin.
According to sources, Ms Rao told the President that while India welcomed the Sri Lankan governments focus on development and rehabilitation of the war displaced people, New Delhi looked at Colombo for a long-term perspective that also includes the issues relating to the political settlement that would meet some of the needs of the minorities.
The sources said that President Rajapaksa is understood to have constantly told Ms Rao that he was focused on that (political solution) need and that he plans to move on it and that he has his sight set on it. During the meeting at Temple Trees, the President is said to have assured her that his government was aware about how India was looking at the issue of political settlement.
Indian foreign minister S. M. Krishna will be here next month seems to reflect the domestic concerns.
According to the sources, Ms Rao is also said to have assured President Rajapaksa that India would continue to aid and support Sri Lankas efforts towards people-centric rehabilitation.
Ms Rao raised the issue of violence against Indian fishermen in international waters and suggested that regular meetings of the joint working group on fishing be held so as to look into the cases of their alleged harassments.
President Rajapaksa said that Indian investor interest in Sri Lanka is rapidly growing, and that several leading Indian entrepreneurs in the industry and other sectors have expressed interest in setting up business in Sri Lanka, the Presidents media unit said in a statement released after the meeting on September 1.
Besides, Ahmedabad-based Self-Employed Womens Association (SEWA) will provide war-widows in Batticaloa with vocational training to help restore their livelihoods. SEWA is an Indian NGO with years of experience in womens empowerment.
After Rao, Indian Army Chief here, more to follow
