India discusses resettlement of displaced Tamils with Sri Lankan President, signs bilateral agreements

Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met the visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed the plight of the displaced Tamils and a political solution to the decades-old ethnic issue in the country.


President Rajapaksa apprised the Indian Premier of the steps taken by his government to expedite the resettlement of the remaining 80,000 displaced Tamils in the camps and programs slated to restore their livelihoods and the war-battered region.

The President briefed the Indian PM on the outcome of the meeting he held with Sri Lanka's Tamil political leaders on the eve of his departure to India.

Prime Minister Singh has pressed on a political solution to the decades-old conflict and expediting the resettlement process.

The two leaders discussed a variety of other issues that are of interest to both countries including the expansion of trade ties and cooperation in counter-terrorism and development.

Following the meeting the India and Sri Lanka signed seven agreements aimed to enhance bilateral ties across a host of issues.

Sri Lanka President and his delegation arrived in India Tuesday for a four-day official visit. This is President's first visit to India after he won the re-election in January to a second term.