Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday said dialogue, and not war, was the way to address cross-border terrorism against India, The Indian Express reported. "Cross-border terrorism is a big issue [for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation], and we have to discuss how to tackle it. I don't think war is an option. Your prime minister has taken a lot of steps to diffuse tensions."
Wickremesinghe's statements follow the postponement of the Saarc summit in Islamabad, after five member nations announced their decision to skip the meeting citing an "unconducive environment" as a reason.
The Sri Lankan prime minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj individually during his three-day visit to the country. He is scheduled to address the opening session of the India Economic Summit in New Delhi on October 6.
Wickremesinghe also referred to Sri Lanka's relationship with China as an economic, and not military, association. India has been closely monitoring Beijing's growing influence in the country. The leader announced future collaborations with India, as well.
Sri Lanka decided to skip the Saarc Summit on September 30 after India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan announced their decisions to not attend the meeting. India cited the rise in hostilities between with Pakistan as the reason for its decision to skip the Islamabad summit.
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