External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday India has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka in their crisis period, and that there is currently no refugee crisis in India on account of the political upheaval in the neighbouring country. EAM Jaishankar is on a three-day visit to Kerala.
“We have been supportive of Sri Lanka, are trying to help and have always been helpful. They are working through their problem, we will see what happens,” EAM S Jaishankar said as quoted by news agency ANI.
Asked about refugee crisis, it any, he said: “There is no refugee crisis right now.”
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | We have been supportive of Sri Lanka, are trying to help and have always been helpful. They are working through their problem, we will see what happens. There is no refugee crisis right now: S Jaishankar, EAM upon his Kerala arrival pic.twitter.com/6oManS6EVt
– ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2022
When asked about the reason for this visit to Kerala, he said he wanted to spend time with his party colleagues and understand what is happening, a PTI report said.
Under the “neighbourhood first policy”, India has responded to the government of Sri Lanka’s request for assistance for overcoming the unrest, and has said it will develop economic linkages between the two countries.
“India has delivered aid of over 3.5 billion dollars which has been given through currency swap, financing of food and fuel, medicines and fertilisers,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said earlier. Responding to a question on current India-Sri Lanka ties, Bagchi said: “India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka and works in their best interest.”
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(With inputs from Agencies)