US & India top ministers discuss Sri Lanka situation

August 4, 2022 at 5:20 PM

State officials from the US and India have held discussions on Sri Lanka on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Cambodia. 

The matter has been taken up during a meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. 

In a Twitter message, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the discussion focused on Sri Lanka’s economic and political situation.

“I met with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar today in Phnom Penh to discuss the implications of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Sri Lanka’s economic and political situation,” he further said. 

At the start of an ASEAN meeting with Minister Ali Sabry, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sri Lanka is in a moment of challenge and crisis but has an opportunity to create a more democratic and inclusive government.

In response, Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka appreciates the U.S. role in securing support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met his Indian counterpart Dr. S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum in Cambodia. 

Indian Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said he held a warm first meeting with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, where he 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,” Dr. Jaishankar said in a Twitter message.

Minister Ali Sabry also met the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles.

In a Twitter message, Fontellas said, “Focusing on recent developments in #SriLanka, I discussed with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry our bilateral relations and cooperation”.

He further said that the EU will continue to support Sri Lanka to work on political, economic, and financial stability. (NewsWire)