Pakistan and Sri Lanka have reiterated their mutual desire to further intensify and broaden cooperation in military and other fields following a three day visit to India’s arch-foe by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse.



The two countries vowed “to combat extremism and terrorism” in all its forms “in the interest of peace and progress of their societies,” the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.



Pakistan also offered defence equipment, producing in Pakistan and training facilities to the armed forces of Sri Lanka, the Sunday Observer reported.



Pakistan also reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.



Issuing a joint statement at the conclusion of the three day official visit by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse the two leaders outlined the need to further strengthen SAARC, while expressing satisfaction on the ratification of SAFTA by all member States of SAARC.



Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also reaffirmed their support for the ongoing peace process in Sri Lanka between the government and the Liberation Tigers, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.



Relations between the two countries have improved notably since 2000, when Pakistan helped Sri Lanka with military weaponry after the Liberation Tigers came close to capturing Jaffna in the Tamil heartland.



The two countries discussed matters of mutual interest and underscored the need for promoting peace and security in the region during a meeting Saturday between President Rajapaksa and Senior Federal Minister and Pakistani Minister for Defence, Rao Sikandar Iqbal.



The Defence Minister thanked Sri Lanka for providing the valuable supports to Pakistan in the wake of the October 8 earthquake.



Dr. P. B. Jayasundera, Sri Lanka’s Finance Secretary told the Sunday Observer in Islamabad that the visit was also focussed on economic ties between the two countries.



“The bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the two nations entered in to in 2005 has boosted trade and doubled exports to Pakistan. As a further support to these developments, the Sri Lankan government offered a 10 million USD credit line to Pakistani importers to buy Sri Lankan products particularly from SME sector,” he said.



Both countries are making efforts to work towards increasing the tourist traffic between them and enhancing the air connectivity. Discussions are also being held to recommence a regular feeder shipping service between Colombo and Karachi.



Meanwhile, a team of senior Sri Lankan government officials are scheduled to visit India next week, Presidential sources told the Sunday Times newspaper.



The delegation, to comprise of Foreign Secretary H. S. Palihakkara, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundere and Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat Dr. John Gooneratne, comes on the heels of President Rajapakse’s visit to Pakistan and an earlier visit by Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary to China.



India had raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s seemingly increased ties with Pakistan and China, and the visit is to reassure India and water-down its concerns, the Sunday Times reports.