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India and Sri Lanka inked seven pacts on Wednesday -- ranging from security to development, and discussed steps being taken to rehabilitate displaced Tamils, a process which New Delhi wants to be expedited.
During wide-ranging talks in New Delhi, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about his government's efforts to resettle nearly three lakh Tamils displaced due to the war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Singh is understood to have emphasised on speeding up the process of resettlement and devolution of political powers to ethnic Tamils.
The two leaders also discussed a host of bilateral and international issues, including an expansion of economic ties, energy security and increased cooperation in areas of development and counter-terrorism.
After the meeting, seven pacts were signed to boost bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, including security, power, railways and cultural exchange.
Two memoranda of understanding were inked on the transfer of sentenced persons and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters that aim at enhancing security cooperation between the two countries.
A MoU on interconnecting electricity grids of the two countries could mean supply of 1,000 MW of power that will go a long way in improving the situation in Sri Lanka, which continues to suffer due to war-ravaged electricity infrastructure.
A pact on laying the Talaimannar-Madhu rail link was also signed. Increased development cooperation was reflected across other pacts that included an MoU on special projects and setting up of a women's trade facilitation and community learning centre by SEWA, an Ahmedabad-based non governmental organisation.
Rajapaksa arrived in India on a four-day visit on Tuesday evening, his first trip after his sweeping electoral victories in January this year.
An estimated 70,000 displaced Tamils still continue to live in relief camps even a year after of the Sri Lankan army crushing the insurgency led by the LTTE.
Although it had promised to resettle all 3 lakh war displaced within six months of defeating the LTTE, the deadline for closure of relief camps housing the refugees has been extended to August by the Rajapaksa government.
Image: Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse shakes hands Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Wednesday | Photograph: B Mathur/Reuters