IMF chief hails India's help to Sri Lanka in dealing with its worst economic crises

Washington: Kristalina Georgieva, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director, on Monday (local time) appreciated India's help to Sri Lanka in tackling its economic crises while assuring Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that the financial institution would continue to actively engage with the island nation.

Georgieva made these remarks during the Spring Meetings of IMF-World Bank (WB) in Washington DC with Sitharaman.

Discussing the recent geopolitical developments, Sitharaman and Georgieva raised concerns about its impact on the global economy and the challenges linked to the rising energy prices.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.

The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Georgieva also congratulated India on its successful vaccination programme to control the spread of COVID-19.

She also appreciated India for extending COVID-19 relief support to other vulnerable countries, according to the Ministry of Finance.

According to the Ministry, Georgieva highlighted India's well-targeted policy mix that has helped the Indian economy remain resilient.

During her conversation with Georgieva, Sitharaman stressed at India's commitment to supporting economic growth through Capital Expenditure.

The Union Minister underlined that India's accommodative fiscal stance accompanied by major structural reforms and strong monetary policies have helped in India's post-pandemic economic recovery, the ministry said.

India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 186.49 crores on Saturday.

The Union Minister reached Washington on an official visit to attend the Spring Meetings at the World Bank, the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and the Central Bank Governor Meeting (FMCBG).

Apart from her official engagements with the World Bank, IMF, G20, and Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Sitharaman on Monday also attended an event at the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington DC.

The visit will also include several bilateral interactions, including with Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and South Africa as well as a high-level meeting with World Bank President David Malpass, a Ministry of Finance statement said. Notably, once the meetings conclude in Washington, Sitharaman will head to San Francisco on April 24, where she will engage with business leaders and will also interact with the faculty and students at Stanford University. She will depart for India on April 27.