Sri Lankan and Pakistani leaders discuss joining forces against terrorism while building trade and economic relations

The leaders of Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reportedly expressed interest in joining hands against terrorism and to build up their trade and economic relations.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M .Jayaratne Sunday called on Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and had discussed ways to further strengthen ties between the two countries with a focus on exploring new avenues of cooperation.

The Pakistani media has reported that President Zardari had congratulated the Prime Minister on defeating terrorism and apprised him of Pakistan's successes in this regard.

Prime Minister Jayaratne had thanked Pakistan for its moral and material support in countering terrorism.

Ali Zardari and Jayaratne have said both countries stand to benefit more from increased military exchanges and training at a regular pace, besides sharing of counter-terrorism measures and sharing of experiences.

The leaders had also called for consolidating cooperation in all spheres including trade, health, education and culture.

Ali Zardari is on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka and is to hold wide range of talks with the Sri Lankan leaders to expand economic and trade cooperation between the two countries which already have an operational Free Trade Agreement.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhary Ahmad Mukhtar and Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) are also part of the Pakistani delegation.