By Nasriya Naffin

Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to strengthen bilateral ties in a variety of domains, including commerce, investment, science and technology, tourism, and culture, via improved connectivity during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said at a joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa after a one-on-one meeting and delegation-level discussions.

“My visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relationship [with Sri Lanka], especially trade and economic ties through enhanced connectivity,”

Sri Lanka could benefit from the Chinese president's Belt and Road Initiative through Pakistan's flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, according to Prime Minister Khan, who, along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Commerce Adviser Abdul Razzak Dawood, and Special Assistant Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Prime Minister Rajapaksa.

Approximately forty prominent Pakistani businessmen accompanied the prime minister on his visit. The Pakistan mission in Colombo did not invite Sri Lankan people in business and investors to the trade and investment conference held in Colombo by the commerce ministry and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan.

In addition, Prime Minister Khan and his counterpart will be in attendance.

The two business communities representing the critical sectors of textile, pharmaceutical, construction, information technology, agro and food, tourism, footwear, hospitality, and tourism will have the opportunity to engage in productive B2B meetings for increased cooperation.

During a joint press conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan told the media that he had instructed his delegation to improve trade and economic ties between the two nations through increased connectivity. While emphasizing the significance of resolving disputes through dialogue and promoting the vision of peace, progress, and prosperity in South Asia and beyond, he insisted on the necessity of constructive engagement by all parties to advance a political solution to the Afghanistan conflict.

At the meeting, where the three pillars of Pakistan's vision — peace, development partnerships, and connectivity — were emphasized, Pakistan's shift from a geostrategic to a geoeconomic focus was discussed. The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Saarc Charter's principles and objectives and agreed to advance the Saarc process for regional cooperation.

Mr. Khan stated that the two nations shared a common problem: Pakistan had experienced the deadliest form of terrorism, which had claimed over 70,000 lives in a decade, and Sri Lanka had experienced the same menace for 30 years. He also mentioned Pakistan's role in resolving the issue impeding Sri Lanka's progress and development.

During the ten years of Pakistan's escalating terrorism, according to the prime minister, few investments were made. Then the coronavirus struck both economies, he said, emphasizing the need for debt relief from the developed world and international financial institutions and urging the United Nations and other international organizations to assist the developing nations. He explained that Pakistan had provided a stimulus package worth $8 billion compared to the US's $3 trillion.

Returning to bilateral relations, PM Khan stated that Pakistan was home to the ancient civilizations of Gandhara and Buddhism and called for increased tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Mr. Khan, the first head of government to visit Sri Lanka since President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa took office last year, stated that he had been there and played cricket, recalling how the Sri Lankan cricket team underwent a revolution and became a world-class team.

According to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, they discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as strategies for strengthening bilateral ties.

He stated that during the meeting, Pakistan and Sri Lanka agreed to expand their cooperation in various areas, including commerce, investment, science and technology, education, and culture.

Prime Minister Khan and his Sri Lankan counterpart witnessed the signing of five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) for increased bilateral cooperation in investment, science and technology, and industrial technology.

According to Pakistan's Foreign Office, the reconstitution of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association will be announced during the visit to promote parliamentary exchanges between the two nations further.

According to a Sri Lankan foreign ministry statement, the visit would include a business and investment forum and a sports diplomacy initiative.

This was the fourth high-level meeting between Pakistan and Sri Lanka following the Sixth Foreign Secretary Level Bilateral Political Consultations in December 2020 and the Twelfth Session of the Joint Economic Commission.