An Indian minister has contradicted longstanding claims by Sri Lankan officials that the Sirisena-government is opposed to the building of a bridge which would link India's southern-most state Tamil Nadu with Sri Lanka's Tamil-dominated North-East.
The project is under consideration, it is under discussion. But nothing has been finalised," Union Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari told journalists at the Foreign Correspondents Club in New Delhi on Monday.
He said discussions have been held on the issue with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, adding that they were also "interested" in the project.
Sri Lankan government officials have always publically rejected the proposed bridge, usually in response to statements by Indian officials.
Leader of the House, Lakshman Kiriella said in December that Sri Lanka will not agree to the proposals.
"We are against it because people of Sri Lanka are opposed to it. We cannot let India build a sea bridge connecting Rameswaram with Thalaimannar," the minister said at the time.
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