PM Modi gloats over maturing democracy

PM Modi gloats over maturing democracy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena for the second time in 10 days and agreed that terrorism was a "joint threat" that needed collective and focussed action.

Pragya Bhagat AgenciesUpdated: Monday, June 10, 2019, 06:34 AM IST
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AFP PHOTO/INDRANIL MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images) |

Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena for the second time in 10 days and agreed that terrorism was a "joint threat" that needed collective and focussed action. The two leaders had last week met at Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

Modi is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the horrible terror attack of April 21 that killed over 250 people. His visit is being seen as India's affirmation of solidarity with the neighbouring country in its hour of crisis.

The Prime Minister's Office described his visit as "important, signifying the strong bonds of friendship with a valued neighbour".

The Prime Minister also met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremsinghe and Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa during the short trip to the island nation.

Modi, who arrived here from the Maldives, started the day with a visit to one of the sites of the April 21 attacks, the St Anthony's church.

"I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured," he later tweeted.

Before his departure, the Prime Minister interacted with members of the Indian Community in Sri Lanka at India House and emphasised the important role played by them in strengthening bilateral relations. one of the routes that has not been opened as yet.

The PM has to attend the SCO meet on June 13 and June 14," a senior government official said.Pakistan had given special permission to India's then external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to fly directly through Pakistani airspace to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' meet in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on May 21.

Apart from the two routes through southern Pakistan, the neighbouring country's airspace remains closed for commercial airliners. The IAF announced on May 31 that all temporary restrictions imposed on Indian airspace post Balakot airstrike have been removed. However, it is unlikely to benefit any commercial airliners unless Pakistan reciprocates and opens itscomplete airspace.

Among Indian airlines, the international operations of AirIndia and IndiGo have been affected by the closure of Pakistani airspace.0 IndiGo, India'slargest airline by share in domestic passenger market, has been unable to start direct flights from Delhito Istanbul due to the closure of Pakistani airspace.The low-cost carrier started the Delhi-Istanbul flight in March this year.

It has to take the longer route every time over the Arabian Sea and make a stop either at Doha in Qatar or at Ahmedabad in Gujarat for refuelling. Similarly, full-service carrier Air India is unable to fly nonstop flights from Delhi to the US since the closure of Pakistani airspace.

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