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World News | India always supports Sri Lanka, no refugee crisis now: Jaishankar

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Trivandrum (Kerala) [India]July 10 (ANI): India has been providing assistance to Sri Lanka and is monitoring developments in the island nation, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday, adding that there is no refugee crisis now.

“We’ve been supporting Sri Lanka, we’re trying to help, and we’ve always been helpful. They’re solving their problems and we’ll see what happens. There’s no refugee crisis now,” Jashankar said upon arriving in Kerala. Strengthen the BJP’s efforts to make progress in South India.

Also read | Sri Lanka economic crisis: Anti-government protesters claim they found millions of rupees in President Rajapaksa’s house.

Jaishankar’s comments reflect how India continues to stand by its neighbours in difficult times. His speech was especially important at a time when Sri Lanka was facing an unprecedented political and economic crisis.

Under the Neighborhood First Policy, India has responded urgently to the Sri Lankan government’s request for assistance to overcome difficulties and will strengthen economic ties between the two countries through infrastructure connectivity and renewable energy.

Also read | U.S. President Joe Biden signs executive order on abortion rights challenging state law.

“India has provided about $3.5 billion in aid through currency swaps, food financing, fuel, medicines and fertilizers,” MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi said earlier.

Responding to a question on India-Sri Lanka relations, he said: “We have urgently responded to the Sri Lankan government’s request for assistance to overcome difficulties”, adding that “India stands with the Sri Lankan people and is doing its best interest.”

Arindam Bagchi stressed the fact that India has always prioritized a “neighborhood first policy”, “India will strive to strengthen economic ties between the two countries through infrastructure connectivity and renewable energy.”

With a “neighborhood first” policy, India actively helped Sri Lanka during the economic crisis.

Over the past two months, the government and people of India have donated more than 25 tons of medicines and medical supplies worth close to S$370 million. That doesn’t include about $3.5 billion in economic aid and other humanitarian supplies such as rice, milk powder, and kerosene.

These humanitarian supplies are a continuation of the Indian government’s continuous support for the Sri Lankan people in various forms, such as financial assistance, foreign exchange support, material supply, and more. These efforts prove that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “people first” policy of “neighborhood first” is still valid.

India is becoming a stronger and more mutually beneficial partner to Sri Lanka. Apart from providing aid during the pandemic and fertilizer chaos, India has also donated essential products to the island nation.

Sri Lanka has been plagued by diesel shortages since February, causing power outages for hours a day. Currently, Sri Lanka is battling severe food and power shortages, forcing the country to seek help from neighbouring countries.

The reason for the recession was a shortage of foreign exchange due to the suppression of tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country cannot buy enough fuel and gas, and people are deprived of basic amenities.

Meanwhile, several dramatic videos circulated on social media after thousands of protesters stormed his official residence in the capital Colombo after Saturday’s upheaval, forcing him to flee to an unknown location.

With demands for the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, they stormed the presidential palace, tore down the police security cordon, took a dip in the swimming pool and frolic in his kitchen and home.

Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Gen. Shavin de la Silva urged all citizens to support the armed forces and police to maintain peace in the country, the media portal reported. He made a special statement accompanied by the commander of the armed forces.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando and Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manushananayakala said they had decided to step down as ministers with immediate effect.

Sri Lankan protesters also broke into the private home of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and set it on fire, outraged by the unprecedented economic crisis.

Several journalists were also attacked by security forces before more protesters gathered in the area, the Daily Mirror reported.

Police use water cannons to stop angry protesters. Police also fired tear gas at the protesters, but nonetheless entered the prime minister’s home and set it on fire.

Meanwhile, the Colombo City Council (CMC) fire brigade said they were informed that the prime minister’s private home in Colombo had been set on fire, and the fire brigade could not reach the scene due to the unrest, the Daily Mirror reported.

Wickremesinghe, who was appointed prime minister in May, announced he would resign to ensure the continuation of the government and the safety of all citizens.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also agreed to step down on Wednesday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from the Syndicated News feed, the body of the content may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)



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