New Delhi [India], October 14 (ANI): The launch of passenger ferry service between Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai is “truly a big step” for people-to-people contacts between India and Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar mentioned on Saturday.

Jaishankar nearly joined the launch of the ferry companies that was flagged off at this time by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal at Nagapattinam.

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In his digital deal with, the exterior affairs minister mentioned the ferry service between the 2 nations can be an affirmation of the people-centric insurance policies of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led authorities.

Vessel Cheriyapani travelled with 50 passengers on its inaugural journey to Sri Lanka and can return to India this night with passengers from Sri Lanka, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) mentioned in a press release.

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Jaishankar mentioned, “We are gathered here this morning to witness the launch of the passenger ferry from Nagapattinam to Kankesanthurai. This is truly a big step for people-to-people contacts between India and Sri Lanka and it was so recognized by Prime Minister Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe.”

“But the occasion is more than just a ferry launch. It is an affirmation of the people-centric policies of the Modi government that have helped both those in Tamil Nadu and those in Sri Lanka’s northern province,” he added.

Jaishankar termed India’s ‘Neighbourhood first coverage” a generous and far-sighted approach to approximate nations with a focus on connectivity, cooperation and contacts. He said that India’s approach is visible in the Chennai-Jaffna flights that have been sanctioned by PM Modi.

The external affairs minister also recalled that PM Modi was the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna.

“Let us take a look at how totally different insurance policies have come collectively to make a distinction. To begin with, now we have Neighborhood First coverage, a beneficiant and far-sighted method to approximate nations with the concentrate on connectivity, cooperation and contacts and that’s precisely what we’re looking for to do by means of this ferry,” he said.

“This is already seen within the Chennai-Jaffna flights that Prime Minister Modi has sanctioned. Such steps are a pure determination of a Prime Minister who has Tamil Nadu near his coronary heart and who has taken a lot curiosity within the welfare of all in Sri Lanka. After all, who can overlook that Prime Minister Modi is the primary Indian Prime Minister ever to go to Jaffna,” he added.

Jaishankar noted that the Indian government’s commitment is also visible in support for housing projects, cultural centres and hospitals in Sri Lanka. He said that India in future is looking at grid connection, pipeline and economic corridors and support for all in Sri Lanka to live in equal dignity and equal rights.

Highlighting the SAGAR policy, Jaishankar said, “We have once more been energetic in guaranteeing maritime safety and security as additionally in catastrophe response and atmosphere safety. This ferry is a crucial people-to-people join by means of the maritime area. It additionally underlines the help now we have offered for the graceful functioning of the Kankesanthurai harbour.”

He said that the PM Modi government’s third policy is ease of living or how to make life easier for common citizens. He said that the ferry would directly facilitate cargo services and noted that its benefits would reach those who might have been left behind.

“The ferry will immediately facilitate cargo companies as you all heard and significantly assist small companies. Its advantages will attain those that in any other case could also be left behind. Only yesterday night, I used to be discussing with Prime Minister Modi my Sri Lanka go to from which I had returned on Thursday,” Jaishankar said.

He further said, “His curiosity is obvious within the message that you’ll hear from him. This is a Prime Minister who thinks massive however all the time thinks sensible. His concern for the pursuits of Tamil Nadu is well-known. We noticed that final yr in Kashi Tamil Sangamam. We now see it on this Tamil Nadu-Sri Lanka ferry as nicely.”

The ferry service between Nagappatinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna is a high-speed ferry operated by the Shipping Corporation of India and has a capacity of 150 passengers, according to the the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The distance of about 60 nm (110 Km) between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai will be covered in approximately 3.5 hours depending on sea conditions, according to MEA. In order to start the ferry service, the Indian government supported the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board in upgrading facilities at the Nagapattinam port. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has created the necessary infrastructure at the port of KKS.

In the press release, MEA stated, “The Government of India’s efforts to begin the ferry service are in step with the Government’s precedence to reinforce connectivity with neighbours and within the wider Indian Ocean Region.

“A direct passenger ferry between Sri Lanka and India will provide an efficient and cost-effective means of travel for the people of the two countries, boost tourism and trade links and strengthen people-to-people ties. The ferry will also enhance economic activity around the two ports and invigorate local economies,” it added.

The direct air connectivity between Chennai and Jaffna which was suspended in the course of the COVID pandemic resumed in December 2022, in keeping with MEA. Enhancing direct connectivity with Sri Lanka’s northern province enhances the Indian authorities’s different ongoing improvement initiatives within the area.

MEA launch said, “The Governments of India and Sri Lanka will continue to work towards the commencement of ferry services between other ports, including the traditional route between Rameswaram- Talaimannar.” (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff could not have modified or edited the content material physique)