The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has reiterated that in the post-conflict era, the defense of India and Sri Lanka have to be intertwined, while, welcomes to President Mahinda Rajapakse on his upcoming second inauguration, when the two leaders met for lunch in Indian PM's Race Course residence said Friday, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga.
After the 19th Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in New Delhi where President Rajapaksa participated as guest of honor, was a lunch meeting with Indian Prime Minister for his Sri Lankan counterpart, the Indian leader warmly, the President noted AOS hands and wished him luck in his second term.
Indian PM said that in post-conflict era, the defense of the two countries would be inter-hung. In fact, India is willing to work closely with our military authorities, Weeratunga said.
The Indian Prime Minister appreciated the work done in relation to the resettlement of IDPs. President Rajapaksa explained that the extensive work of rehabilitation has contributed to this achievement. But the delay caused extensive demining activities carried out, the President stressed.
The discussion also centered around the political solution. The Indian PM stressed that the Tamil National Alliance will work with the government. to work towards a solution. The President replied that he has extended an open invitation to TNA. As the TNA management had been out of the country over the past 2-3 months, he pointed out that there could be no dialogue. The Indian PM has expressed willingness to celebrate 2600: e year of Buddha, AOS birth, which falls next year, in cooperation with Sri Lanka. The President urged the Indian PM to visit Sri Lanka next year, and there was a positive response.
They discussed a number of other issues, including India-financed 50,000 housing unit project for internally displaced persons. The project is to be officially inaugurated in the latter part of next month when Indian leaders arriving here for the joint commission sessions.
The President met Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Britain, AOS Prince Edward, who was present to declare the games closed on behalf of the Queen, and the Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari at the closing ceremony.
The Indian leaders were also briefed on the meeting that the nearly 300,000 IDPs there were only 20,000 remain in camps and the government, AOS aims to resettle all displaced people by the end of this year.
, Auth two countries also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security and to continue implementing the agreements reached at the bilateral meeting between the two leaders in June last year, the AU president, AOS media said.
When the topic of comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) came up for discussion, the Indian PM categorically said that our President could move at a pace close to Sri Lankan authorities, so it would be a win-win situation. The meeting was attended by Indian Minister P. Chidambaram, Minister of External SMKrishna, National Security Advisor MKNarayanan and Foreign Minister Nirupama Rao. Ministers Prof.GLPeiris, Chairman, AOS secretary Lalith Weeratunga, External Affairs Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe, Presidential Advisor, Sajin Vaas Gunawardena and High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam was among the Sri Lankan delegation.
President Rajapaksa reached New Delhi on Thursday and returned on Friday.
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