Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether India and Sri Lanka have agreed to encourage closer economic and trade linkages in the 8th round of Joint Commission Meeting; and

(b) if so, the details of the agreements reached including the one for avoidance of double taxation and the estimated funds to be invested, sector-wise?

ANSWERTHE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI PRENEET KAUR)

(a) At the 8th meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission held in New Delhi on 22 January 2013, discussions were held on bilateral relations, including trade, investment, development cooperation, science and technology, power, agriculture and connectivity. Both sides recognized the need to build a special economic partnership framework to achieve the shared goals of poverty alleviation, job creation and economic development for the people of the two countries and to take several steps to further deepen trade, tourism and investment relations.

(b) During the meeting, India and Sri Lanka signed Agreements on Combating International Terrorism and Illicit Drug Trafficking and Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (DTAA).

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