Sri Lanka:-Talking about Sri Lanka PM Modi addressed that Sri Lankan Parliament represents one of Asia’s oldest democracies; and, one of its most vibrant. Long before many others in the world, Sri Lanka gave every individual a vote and voice to the people of Sri Lanka, ayubuvan, Vanakkam. I bring the greetings of 1.25 billion friends; and millions of fans of Sri Lankan cricket. I bring the blessings from the land of Bodh Gaya to the land of Anuradhapura. I stand here in respect for our shared heritage; and, in commitment to our shared future. Last May, when I took the oath of office, I was honoured by the presence of South Asian leaders at the ceremony. Their presence was a celebration of democracy’s march in our region. It was also recognition of our common destiny. I am convinced that the future of any country is influenced by the state of its neighbourhood. The future that I dream for India is also the future that I wish for our neighbours.
We in this region are on the same journey: to transform the lives of our people. Our path will be easier, the journey quicker and destination nearer when we walk step in step. As I stand here in Colombo and look north towards the Himalaya, I marvel at our region’s uniqueness – of our rich diversity and our common civilisational links. We have been formed from the same elements; and, from our interconnected histories. Today, we stand together as proud independent nations – sovereign and equal. India and Sri Lanka do not have a land boundary, but we are the closest neighbours in every sense. No matter where you look in India or Sri Lanka, the many strands of our links – religion, language, culture, food, customs, traditions and epics – come together into a deep and strong bond of familiarity and friendship. Ours is a relationship that is beautifully defined by the journey of Mahindra and Sanghamitra. They carried the message of peace, tolerance and friendship more than two millenniums ago.
It is evoked by Kannagi, the central character of the great Tamil epic Silapathikaram, who is worshipped as goddess the Pattini in Sri Lanka. It lives in the Ramayan trail in Sri Lanka. It expresses itself in devotion at the dargah of the Nagore Andavar and the Christian shrine of Velankanni. It is reflected in the friendship of Swami Vivekananda and Anagarika Dharmapala, the founder of the Maha Bodhi Society in Sri Lanka and India. It lives in the work of Mahatma Gandhi’s followers in India and Sri Lanka. Above all, our relationship thrives through the inter-woven lives of ordinary Indians and Sri Lankans. Our independent life began at about the same time. Sri Lanka has made remarkable progress since then. The nation is an inspiration for our region in human development. Sri Lanka is home to enterprise and skill; and extraordinary intellectual heritage. There are businesses of global class here.
Hon’ble Speaker and Distinguished Members,
My vision of an ideal neighbourhood is one in which trade, investments, technology, ideas and people flow easily across borders; when partnerships in the region are formed with the ease of routine. In India, the growth momentum has been restored. India has become the fastest growing major economy in the world. The world sees India as the new frontier of economic opportunity. But, our neighbours should have the first claim on India. And I again repeat, the first claim on India is of our neighbours – of Sri Lanka.
Last month we signed the agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. More than anywhere else in the region, I see enormous potential to expand cooperation with Sri Lanka in areas like agriculture, education, health, science and technology, and space. Indeed, we are limited only by our imagination. We hope that Sri Lanka will take full benefit of India’s satellite for the SAARC Region. This should be in Space by December 2016.
I have come with the hope of building this bridge – a bridge that rests on strong pillars of our shared inheritance; of shared values and vision; of mutual support and solidarity; of friendly exchanges and productive cooperation; and, above all, belief in each other and our shared destiny. Thank you once again for the honour to be with you.
