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India will help Sri Lanka in implementing people-centric digitisation
India will assist Sri Lanka in the complete roll out of Digital Public Infrastructure in the island nation. The two countries will also promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for people of both the countries.
These were among a slew of decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during their meeting in New Delhi on Monday (December 16, 2024).
India’s Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Digitisation Efforts
During their talks President Dissanayake acknowledged the successful experience of India in people-centric digitization, which has helped in improving governance, transforming service delivery, ushering transparency, and contributing to social welfare. He expressed his government’s interest in exploring the establishment of similar systems in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance.
“Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s readiness in fully supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts in this regard,” said a joint statement issued after their meeting.
In this context, the two leaders agreed to:
1. Expedite implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve delivery of government services to the public;
2. Collaborate on avenues to fully roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka with assistance from India.
3. Establish a Joint Working Group to explore the implementation of a DPI stack in Sri Lanka based on experience and systems already established in India, including advancing ongoing technical discussions on the implementation of DigiLocker in Sri Lanka.
4. Promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries and in keeping with payment systems related regulatory guidelines of both countries. (India has already launched UPI in Sri Lanka for the use of Indian tourists since February 2024).
5. Continue bilateral exchanges to garner learnings from India’s Aadhaar platform, GeM portal, PM Gati Shakti digital platform, digitized customs and other taxation procedures, with a view to exploring the benefits of establishing equivalent systems in Sri Lanka.
Indian Business Leaders Invited to Explore Opportunities in Sri Lanka
While in New Delhi, President Dissanayake also addressed the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum attended by Indian CEOs from sectors like IT, Startup Ecosystem, Renewable Energy, Agriculture, and Textiles. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s investor-friendly environment and invited Indian business leaders to explore opportunities in sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy.
“Engaged in productive discussions with Indian business leaders in New Delhi today (16). Highlighted Sri Lanka’s investor-friendly environment and invited them to explore opportunities in key sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy. Together, India and Sri Lanka can strengthen economic ties!” the Sri Lankan President said on social media platform X.
India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who attended the meet alongside President Dissanayake, referred to the historic and robust economic ties between India and Sri Lanka. He reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced economic and cultural exchanges.
“Delighted to address the @FollowCII India-Sri Lanka Business Forum alongside the President of Sri Lanka H.E. @AnuraDisanayake Highlighted the historic and robust economic ties between our nations and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced economic and cultural exchanges for shared prosperity,” he later said on X.
Incidentally, during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake, both sides agreed to encourage investments in key sectors in Sri Lanka to enhance its export potential. India and Sri Lanka have also decided to strengthen the bilateral trade partnership by continuing discussions on the Economic & Technological Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) and enhancing INR-LKR trade settlements.
Addressing the media during a special briefing in New Delhi on Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed out that India was Sri Lanka's largest source of investment.
“Prime Minister Modi assured President Dissanayake that India's approach would be investment-based and grant-oriented to reduce the debt burden on Sri Lanka and to assist them in generating economic opportunities that are long-term and sustainable and will eventually contribute to growing the absolute size of the Sri Lankan economy”.
Indian, Sri Lankan Presidents Discuss Strengthening of Ties
Besides the meeting with Prime Minister Modi, President Dissanayake, who is on his first overseas visit after assuming office, also held discussions with President Droupadi Murmu on strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and India, focusing on regional security and mutual cooperation.
"President Droupadi Murmu received President Anura Kumara Disanayaka of Sri Lanka at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour. The President said that as a close and trusted partner, India would continue to support the Sri Lankan Government's efforts for the sustainable economic development of Sri Lanka," Rashtrapati Bhavan said on X.
“Had a meaningful meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (16). We discussed strengthening the long-standing ties between Sri Lanka and India, focusing on regional security and mutual cooperation. Grateful for the warm hospitality and dinner reception,” he said on X.
On Tuesday (December 17, 2024), he visited the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi to get a first hand experience of India’s quality & affordable health care system. He then proceeded to Bodh Gaya to visit the Mahabodhi Temple to seek blessings and offer prayers.
“This morning (17), I had the privilege of visiting Bodh Gaya, the sacred site where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment. I paid homage to the Mahabodhi Temple and Sri Maha Bodhi tree and offered floral tributes to the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala. Grateful for the blessings received by the General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Venerable Pelwatte Seewalee Thero and the Head of the Sarnath Centre, Venerable Rathmalwala Sumiththananda Thero,” President Dissanayake wrote on X.
These were among a slew of decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during their meeting in New Delhi on Monday (December 16, 2024).
India’s Full Support for Sri Lanka’s Digitisation Efforts
During their talks President Dissanayake acknowledged the successful experience of India in people-centric digitization, which has helped in improving governance, transforming service delivery, ushering transparency, and contributing to social welfare. He expressed his government’s interest in exploring the establishment of similar systems in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance.
“Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s readiness in fully supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts in this regard,” said a joint statement issued after their meeting.
In this context, the two leaders agreed to:
1. Expedite implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve delivery of government services to the public;
2. Collaborate on avenues to fully roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka with assistance from India.
3. Establish a Joint Working Group to explore the implementation of a DPI stack in Sri Lanka based on experience and systems already established in India, including advancing ongoing technical discussions on the implementation of DigiLocker in Sri Lanka.
4. Promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries and in keeping with payment systems related regulatory guidelines of both countries. (India has already launched UPI in Sri Lanka for the use of Indian tourists since February 2024).
5. Continue bilateral exchanges to garner learnings from India’s Aadhaar platform, GeM portal, PM Gati Shakti digital platform, digitized customs and other taxation procedures, with a view to exploring the benefits of establishing equivalent systems in Sri Lanka.
Indian Business Leaders Invited to Explore Opportunities in Sri Lanka
While in New Delhi, President Dissanayake also addressed the India-Sri Lanka Business Forum attended by Indian CEOs from sectors like IT, Startup Ecosystem, Renewable Energy, Agriculture, and Textiles. He highlighted Sri Lanka’s investor-friendly environment and invited Indian business leaders to explore opportunities in sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy.
“Engaged in productive discussions with Indian business leaders in New Delhi today (16). Highlighted Sri Lanka’s investor-friendly environment and invited them to explore opportunities in key sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy. Together, India and Sri Lanka can strengthen economic ties!” the Sri Lankan President said on social media platform X.
India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who attended the meet alongside President Dissanayake, referred to the historic and robust economic ties between India and Sri Lanka. He reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced economic and cultural exchanges.
“Delighted to address the @FollowCII India-Sri Lanka Business Forum alongside the President of Sri Lanka H.E. @AnuraDisanayake Highlighted the historic and robust economic ties between our nations and reaffirmed India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations through enhanced economic and cultural exchanges for shared prosperity,” he later said on X.
Incidentally, during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake, both sides agreed to encourage investments in key sectors in Sri Lanka to enhance its export potential. India and Sri Lanka have also decided to strengthen the bilateral trade partnership by continuing discussions on the Economic & Technological Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) and enhancing INR-LKR trade settlements.
Addressing the media during a special briefing in New Delhi on Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri pointed out that India was Sri Lanka's largest source of investment.
“Prime Minister Modi assured President Dissanayake that India's approach would be investment-based and grant-oriented to reduce the debt burden on Sri Lanka and to assist them in generating economic opportunities that are long-term and sustainable and will eventually contribute to growing the absolute size of the Sri Lankan economy”.
Indian, Sri Lankan Presidents Discuss Strengthening of Ties
Besides the meeting with Prime Minister Modi, President Dissanayake, who is on his first overseas visit after assuming office, also held discussions with President Droupadi Murmu on strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and India, focusing on regional security and mutual cooperation.
"President Droupadi Murmu received President Anura Kumara Disanayaka of Sri Lanka at Rashtrapati Bhavan and hosted a banquet in his honour. The President said that as a close and trusted partner, India would continue to support the Sri Lankan Government's efforts for the sustainable economic development of Sri Lanka," Rashtrapati Bhavan said on X.
“Had a meaningful meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (16). We discussed strengthening the long-standing ties between Sri Lanka and India, focusing on regional security and mutual cooperation. Grateful for the warm hospitality and dinner reception,” he said on X.
On Tuesday (December 17, 2024), he visited the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi to get a first hand experience of India’s quality & affordable health care system. He then proceeded to Bodh Gaya to visit the Mahabodhi Temple to seek blessings and offer prayers.
“This morning (17), I had the privilege of visiting Bodh Gaya, the sacred site where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment. I paid homage to the Mahabodhi Temple and Sri Maha Bodhi tree and offered floral tributes to the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala. Grateful for the blessings received by the General Secretary of the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Venerable Pelwatte Seewalee Thero and the Head of the Sarnath Centre, Venerable Rathmalwala Sumiththananda Thero,” President Dissanayake wrote on X.
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