India would welcome any progress that would bring peace within the framework of the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission said in a press release issued yesterday, at the conclusion of a two-day visit by Indian Foreign Secretary K. Sibal.

“India supports a peaceful, negotiated settlement that meets the just aspirations of all elements of Sri Lankan society besides ensuring that the principles of democracy, pluralism and human rights are respected on the ground.

The following is the text of the statement:

“The Foreign Secretary of India, K. Sibal, paid an official visit to Sri Lanka on 8-9 December, 2002. The visit was part of the close consultations that regularly take place between India and Sri Lanka on matters of mutual interest.

The Foreign Secretary called on the Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sir Lankan Foreign Minister Tyronne Fernando. He had a luncheon meeting with the Sri Lankan Minister for Economic Reforms and Science and Technology, Milinda Moragoda. In a dinner at the Indian High Commissioner’s residence, he had an opportunity to have an exchange of views with Sri Lankan Ministers, Karu Jayasuriya, G.L. Peiris and Rohitha Bogollagama. He also met the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Nihal Rodrigo. Besides this, the Indian Foreign Secretary had meetings with Tamil political parties and their parliamentary representatives. He met the Sri Lankan Minister of Eastern Development & Muslim Religious Affairs and Port Development and Shipping, Rauff Hakeem. Other Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leaders also called on the Indian Foreign Secretary. The variety and depth of exchanges with political and governmental personalities of Sri Lanka was most useful and productive in terms of bilateral political understanding and briefing on the developments related to the ongoing peace process.