Despite the economic crisis, Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, that it is natural for India to stand behind Sri Lanka during its difficult time as “blood is thicker than water”.
“Blood is thicker than water. It was natural for India to see what it could do to stand by Sri Lanka at this very difficult time. It is natural at a moment of difficulty. I have always believed that you will come through this challenge but it is important to have real friends standing by you (Sri Lanka), ” said EAM Jaishankar.
In times of crisis, India has often stood behind the countries that surround it, according to its “Neighborhood First” policy. Under its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy, India has always moved forward to assist debt-ridden Sri Lanka, and the ration was delivered at Kalmunai on March 16.
On Friday, EAM S Jaishankar spoke at the launch of The Exhibition Sri Lankan Architect ‘Geoffrey Bawa’ in New Delhi. Jaishankar stated during his speech at the ceremony, “For us, it was natural at the moment of difficulty that we should see what we could do within our resources, capabilities and efforts to stand by Sri Lanka at this very difficult time,”
The exhibition was also inaugurated by Sri Lanka Envoy Milinda Moragoda and MoS Foreign Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry noted earlier this month during the Raisina Dialogue ‘Ideas Pod” that India had supported the island nation more than any other country, especially during its extraordinary crisis.
Earlier in January, India offered USD 3.9 billion in aid to Sri Lanka to help it survive the acute economic and financial crisis and satisfy essential requirements such as medications, cooking gas, oil, and food goods.
For the import of essential commodities, India’s EXIM bank and the State Bank of India offered export credit facilities totalling USD 1,500 million to Sri Lanka.
India also reached a USD 400 million arrangement with Sri Lanka to assist in the preservation of the country’s foreign reserves. Sri Lanka has been granted a USD 1 billion credit line for critical items, a USD 500 million credit line for petroleum, and a USD 55 million credit line for fertiliser.
