Colombo: The External Affairs Minister S.K Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the Corona virus pandemic has not adversely affected India-Sri Lanka relations and that India is excited about cooperation with Sri Lanka after Covid-19. Jaishankar is on a three-day visit from December 5 to 7 on the invitation of Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. This is his first foreign trip in 2021. He is also the first foreigner to visit Sri Lanka in the new year.
Talking to the media after the meeting with Dinesh Gunawardena, Jaishankar said that the corona virus pandemic has not damaged India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. Jaishankar said, “The reality is that there has been a high level of connectivity in the last one year and it has strengthened already. We are now looking at post-COVID-19 cooperation.”
The External Affairs Minister also discussed Sri Lanka’s interest in getting the vaccine from India. Assuring that India is a reliable partner for Sri Lanka, Jaishankar said that the country is in favor of strengthening its relations with the island nation on the basis of mutual interest, trust, respect and sensitivity. He underlined that neighboring countries are currently facing challenges post-COVID-19.
Jaishankar said, “It is not just a matter of public health but also a state of economic crisis.”