Sri Lanka hopes to draft economic pact with India this year

New Delhi

SRI Lanka hopes to hammer out an economic partnership deal with India this year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Tuesday, seeking to strengthen the island's ties with its big neighbour and reduce its dependency on Chinese investment.

Mr Wickremesinghe, in New Delhi on his first visit abroad since winning a general election last month, said voters had given his government of national unity a mandate for trade and investment with India. "We are looking at a permanent agreement on cooperation on economic affairs - trade, investment and technology - which is essential for development," he said after meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.