New Delhi: Ferry services between Nagapattinam, India and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka were launched today. Addressing the launch via video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about working towards resuming the ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimannar.
Addressing the gathering, Modi said India and Sri Lanka were embarking on a new chapter in diplomatic and economic relations and the launch of the ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai was an important milestone in strengthening the relations.
Modi mentioned the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor during the G20 summit and stated that it is an important connectivity corridor that will create a massive economic impact on the whole region. He underlined that the people of Sri Lanka will also benefit from it as multimodal connectivity between the two countries was strengthened.
He expressed gratitude and thanked the President, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka for the successful launch of the ferry service today. He also spoke about “India remains committed to working closely with Sri Lanka to further strengthen our bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of our people”, the Prime Minister concluded.
Underlining the shared history of culture, commerce and civilization between India and Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister pointed out that Nagapattinam and nearby towns have been known for sea trade with many countries including Sri Lanka and the historical port of Poompuhar finds a mention as a hub in ancient Tamil literature. He also spoke about Sangam age literature like Pattinappalai and Manimekalai which describe the movement of boats and ships between the two countries. He also touched upon the poet Subramania Bharti’s song ‘Sindhu Nadhiyin Misai’, which mentions a bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka. He further added that the ferry service brings alive all those historical and cultural connections.
During the recent visit of President Wickremesinghe, a vision document was jointly adopted for an economic partnership with the central theme of connectivity. “Connectivity is not only about bringing two cities closer. It also brings our countries closer, our people closer and our hearts closer,” Modi said and emphasized that connectivity enhances trade, tourism and people-to-people ties while creating new opportunities for the youth of both countries.
“Our vision for connectivity goes beyond the transport sector”, the Prime Minister emphasized as he underlined that India and Sri Lanka collaborate closely in a wide range of areas such as fin-tech and energy. Noting that digital payments have become a mass movement and a way of life in India due to UPI, Modi informed that both governments were working on fin-tech sector connectivity by linking UPI and Lanka Pay. He also touched upon connecting the energy grids between the two nations to enhance energy security and reliability as energy security was crucial for the development journey of both India and Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister stated that the projects implemented with Indian assistance in Sri Lanka had touched the lives of the people. He said several projects related to housing, water, health, and livelihood support have been completed in the Northern province and expressed delight in extending support for the upgradation of the Kankesanthurai Harbour. “Be it restoration of railway lines connecting North to South; construction of the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre; roll out of emergency ambulance service all across Sri Lanka; or the multi-speciality hospital at Dick Oya we are working with a vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas,” he added.
– global bihari bureau
