India, he said, must establish itself as an economic powerhouse and help its neighbours move towards peace and progress.
Delivering the keynote speech on 'India in a regional context: a neighbour's view’ on the concluding day of the fifth Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Rajapaksa envisioned a self-confident society for both India and Sri Lanka, which would ‘make poverty history’, and improve the lives of millions and millions of their citizens.
Urging India to play the role of a leader in the SAARC region, the Sri Lankan President also called for a common currency for the region. "I have been saying this, and I reiterate it, because this will stabilise our regional economy," he said.
While talking of Sri Lanka’s internal problems, Rajapaksa deplored the lack of willingness to shun violence on the part of the separatist forces and their reluctance to come to the negotiating table.
Asked if Sri Lanka needed more assistance from India in tackling its domestic problems, including terror, Rajapaksa said, "We have their moral support. That is more than enough."
As for reports linking insurgency in India to the terrorist forces on the Lankan soil, Rajapaksa trod a cautious path. "We don't have any such information. Whenever we have, we will discuss it with the Indian Government.”
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