New Delhi, January 9 (newsin.asia): The Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena, who is on an official visit to India from January 8 to 10, met his Indian counterpart, Dr.S.Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Thursday.
In this first overseas visit of the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister after assuming charge in November 2019, Gunawardena was accompanied by a 4-member official delegation. The visit of the Lankan Foreign Minister is in continuation of and as a follow up to the recent visit of President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to India in November 2019, the Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement..
Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar hosted the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka for delegation-level talks followed by a working lunch for the visiting delegation. Both Ministers discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister reiterated the importance laid by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on exploring newer areas of cooperation with India with emphasis on skill development, vocational training and capacity building and requested India’s support.
Dr.Jaishankar assured full support to such initiatives on the basis of the recognized strength of India’s institutions in these areas and based on Sri Lanka’s requirements. The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, including climate change and counter-terrorism.
Areas For Skills Development
During the visit, the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister also met our Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Mahendra Nath Pandey, and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Labour and Employment, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar.
A member of the Sri Lankan delegation told newsin.asia that to begin with,Lankan technicians will be trained in maintaining Indian vehicles (cars, buses, three-wheelers and motorbikes). Other technical trades will also be taught. Manufacturing Indian products in Sri Lanka will be the next step.
Training will also be given in entrepreneurship so that Lankan youth set up their own businesses, the source said.
