New Delhi, July 26: India and Sri Lanka on Friday agreed to tackle the problem of fishermen straying into each other's territorial waters in a "practical and humane" way and discussed return of Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu with security and dignity.
The two sides also agreed to consider further expanding cooperation in trade, services, civil aviation and other areas under the ambit of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters.
The issues figured during foreign office consultations between the two countries here held after a gap of three-and-a-half years.
The Indian side was led by Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal while his counterpart Nihal Rodrigo headed the Sri Lankan team for the discussions on a wide range of issues "in a warm and friendly atmosphere reflecting the excellent neighbourly relations between the two countries", he said.
Rodrigo, who called on External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, briefed the Indian side on the latest developments in the peace process.
India reiterated its support to initiatives taken by the Sri Lankan Government on the ongoing process for a peaceful resolution of the ethnic conflict.
External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha will visit Colombo in the middle of August to co-chair alongwith his Sri Lankan counterpart the Joint Economic Commission. Bureau Report