Krishna inaugurates Indian consulate in Hambantota in Lanka

T V Sriram
Hambantota, Nov 28 (PTI) India's External Affairs
Minister S M Krishna Sunday inaugurated the new Indian
consulate in southern Sri Lankan coastal city of Hambantota,
voicing confidence that India will take advantage of the
industrial and commercial potential in the region, which has
witnessed increased Chinese engagement.
Krishna, who is in Sri Lanka on a four-day visit,
inaugurated the Consulate General of India here, a day after
opening the new Indian consulate in Jaffna, which was once the
bastion of the LTTE.
The minister said Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa
has plans for developing his home town of Hambantota -- which
has recently witnessed heightened Chinese activities,
including in developing a strategic port costing USD one
billion -- as a major regional hub.
"I am confident that India will take advantage of the
industrial and commercial potential around Hambantota," he
said.
According to a senior official, India is the first
country to set up a Consulate General in Hambantota.
Krishna also asked Indian investors to explore the
possibility of investing in southern Sri Lanka for the benefit
of the two countries.
"Our (Indo-Sri Lanka) relations are multi-faceted and
historical. The challenge has been to derive the full benefit
of our proximity and exploit the full potential of our
friendship and cooperation. With the shadow of the conflict
lifting, I believe that the time has come when we can do
that," he said.
India wanted Sri Lanka to thrive and be stable and
progressive so that there can be peace and tranquility in both
countries and in the region, he said while asserting that New
Delhi treats all its neighbours with equal respect,
irrespective of their size.
He said the visit of President Rajapaksa to India in June
opened a significant chapter in bilateral relations.
"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Rajapaksa agreed to
intensify our bilateral cooperation, revive connectivity and
the age-old cultural links and enhance our social
engagements," Krishna noted.
The joint declaration of the two leaders covers every
aspect of the India-Sri Lanka multi-faceted relationship and
has set markers for progress in cooperation in areas of
connectivity, agriculture, power, education, HRD and culture
and greater economic engagement, including through joint
ventures and investment, he said. (More) PTI