Sharif welcomes Colombo as a go- between Pakistan and India
View(s):Visiting Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in a strong endorsement of Sri Lanka’s ability, on Wednesday welcomed a suggestion that Colombo can play a vital role in mending relations between Pakistan and India.Responding to a question from a Business Times journalist at an exclusive breakfast discussion with Sri Lanka’s business community at a Colombo hotel as to whether Sri Lanka could play a role in improving trade, economic and political ties between the two arch foes, Mr. Sharif said that Sri Lanka and also other countries in the region can play a key role in improving relations between neighbours in South Asia.
The Business Times had said that SAARC (South Asia regional cooperation) as a movement hasn’t progressed due to irritants between neighbours in the region. While saying that Colombo is an ideal platform to foster people-to-people contacts between the two countries, the paper asked whether Pakistan would welcome Colombo’s role as a ‘go-between’ to improve ties between the two countries.
In response, the Prime Minister said: “SAARC is gradually improving its role but I agree that it needs to play a more effective role. It’s an effective association and important in removing irritants to development and economic cooperation. It is important to have good relations with India and all our neighbours. Thus I would welcome the role of Sri Lanka providing some kind of understanding to bring together (us) and all the SAARC countries.” Commerce Minister Rishard Badurdeen and Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran were among those present.