India, Sri Lanka inks agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, Cultural cooperation

India and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation, Cultural cooperation during Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Maithripala Sirisen four-day visit to India. Sri Lanka has signed first such bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation.

Following agreements were signed between India and Sri Lanka

• Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy- It will facilitate the transfer and exchange of knowledge and expertise, resources in peaceful uses of Nuclear energy between both nations. This agreement also includes capacity building and training of personnel for nuclear security, radioactive waste management and nuclear and radiological disaster mitigation and environmental protection.
• Programme of Cultural cooperation between both nations for years 2015-18 –It seeks to enhance cooperation in different fields like arts, visuals arts, cultural documentation, archeology, handicrafts etc between both nations.
• MoU on establishment of Nalanda University- It will enable Sri Lanka to participate in India’s Nalanda University project.
• Work Plan 2014-15 under MoU on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture- It will facilitate bilateral cooperation in Agro Processing, Agricultural extension, horticulture, agricultural machinery, training in farm mechanization, livestock diseases, etc. between relevant institutes and organizations from both countries.

     Here are the highlights of what Prime Minister Modi said:
1. It's a great pleasure and privilege to welcome Sri Lankan president to India
2. Congratulate you (SL president) on behalf of the people of India on your victory
3. The mandate you (SL president) received represents collective voice of SL, it presents aspirations of your people for united and prosper nation
4. President Sirisena and I had excellent discussion on bilateral relations and international issues
5. We are pleased to be Sri Lanka's largest trading partner, I express my support for balanced trade in both directions
6. We will further improve air and sea connectivity between SL and India
7. The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is another demonstration of our mutual trust

     8. President and I expressed satisfaction with progress, I informed Sri Lanka president of India's commitment to further develop partnership with Sri Lanka

     9. President Sirisena and I attach highest importance to the fishermen issue, will address fishermen associations on both sides soon

    10. I thank the Sri Lanka president for his invitation to visit Sri Lanka, eagerly looking forward to visiting his beautiful country in March
11. I believe that our destinies are inter-linked. Our security and prosperity are indivisible
12. We discussed expansion of cooperation in energy sector, both conventional and renewable