International   

Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary visiting Pakistan

Nirupama Subramanian

Islamabad: Sri Lakan Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona will arrive here on Tuesday to discuss “the entire gamut of bilateral relations”, said the Pakistan Foreign Ministry here on Monday.

According to a statement, Mr. Kohona is leading a delegation of senior officials for the second session of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Bilateral Consultations scheduled for July 18. The first session was held in 2004.

“Military co-operation” is an important element of the bilateral relations. Earlier this year, a statement by National Security Adviser MK Narayanan that Sri Lanka must not shop for arms from Pakistan, China or any other country and must only deal with “regional power” India, drew a sharp response from Sri Lankan political parties and civil society.

Sri Lanka is also the only country in the region with which Pakistan has a free trade agreement.

According to recent reports, Pakistan was considering putting auto parts on the negative list following fears that Indian auto parts companies in Sri Lanka may be exporting items here through the FTA.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Pakistan thins down reference against Chief Justice
NWFP Government-tribals pact to end violence
Six die in Japan quake
13 Tigers surrendered: army
Jolt to Nepal verification
Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary visiting Pakistan
U.K. to expel four Russian diplomats
Solution should be acceptable to all: Pakistan
“Taliban behind attack”
Somali talks put off
Hasina arrested, sent to jail
Sabeel remanded to custody till August 13

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu