EAM S Jaishankar reaffirms India's commitment to helping Sri Lanka's economic recovery at ASEAN conclave

S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister said that India will remain committed to assisting Sri Lanka in its economic recovery. He conveyed as much to his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry, as they met on the margins of the ASEAN conclave in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital.

He has also met the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Vietnamese foreign minister Bui Thanh Son and the Australian foreign minister Penny Wong at the conclave.

"A warm first meeting with FM Ali Sabry of Sri Lanka. Congratulated him on his new responsibility. Reaffirmed India's commitment, as a dependable friend and reliable partner, to the economic recovery and well being of Sri Lanka. Neighbourhood First," Jaishankar tweeted.



Over the course of the past year, India has extended its support to Sri Lanka to the tune of over USD 3.8 billion to help deal with the economic crisis. One that Sri Lanka has been reeling under, the worst it has seen in seven decades, which has left nearly millions of people struggling to live. They have been struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel and several other essentials.

Last month, Sri Lanka witnessed massive political turmoil following mass protests over the economic crisis that forced President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country.

On his meeting with the Cambodian prime minister, Jaishankar said the issues which figured in the talks included economic cooperation, development and defence and cultural partnership.

"Thank PM Hun Sen of Cambodia for receiving me. Conveyed personal greetings of PM @narendramodi. Appreciated his warm words on our covid cooperation. Discussed enhancing our economic, development, defence and cultural partnership," he tweeted.

"Assured our continued assistance on heritage conservation. Valued his views on regional developments," he added.



On his meeting with the Vietnamese counterpart, Jaishankar said both sides agreed to maintain the momentum of in the comprehensive strategic partnership.

"Another good meeting with @FMBuiThanhSon of Vietnam. Agreed to keep working to maintain the momentum of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," he tweeted.


S Jaishankar, also said, referencing his meeting with Australian foreign minister Wong, that they had exchanged their perspectives on many regional and global issues.

"Pleasure meeting FM @SenatorWong of Australia again. Took positive note of the progress in our bilateral relations. Benefited from the exchange of perspectives on regional and global issues," he said in a tweet.