India and Sri Lanka recognising the need to build a special economic partnership framework to achieve the goals of poverty alleviation, job creation and economic development for people of the two countries decided to take several steps to further deepen trade, tourism and investment relations.

This was stated in a joint statement issued by External Affairs Minister of India Shri Salman Khurshid and his Sri Lankan counterpart Professor GL Peiris at the conclusion of the eighth India- Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting yesterday.

The External Affairs Ministers of India and Sri Lanka also signed the Agreement on Combating International Terrorism and Drug Trafficking; and Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.

During his visit to India, the External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka called on the Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and had a separate meeting with the External Affairs Minister of India.

The External Affairs Minister of India accepted the invitation extended by the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister to visit Sri Lanka in the first half of 2013 and suggested that mutually convenient dates be worked out through diplomatic channels.