Sept 20, Colombo: India said on Tuesday it had begun discussions with Sri Lanka on restructuring its debt to India and assured support to early conclusion and approval of a suitable IMF Programme.

The High Commission of India in Colombo in a statement said in response to a recent request from the Government of Sri Lanka it held the first round of discussions on 16 September 2022 in Colombo with the Government of Sri Lanka on restructuring Sri Lanka’s bilateral official debt to India.

“The discussions held in a cordial atmosphere symbolize India’s support to early conclusion and approval of a suitable IMF Programme for Sri Lanka, for which financing assurances from creditors to make Sri Lanka’s debt sustainable are required,” the High Commission said.

India said it will continue to remain closely engaged with relevant Sri Lankan stakeholders.