Pakistans Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called Tuesday for closer military cooperation with Sri Lanka on an official visit to the island.
Pakistan was a key supplier of arms and aircraft for Sri Lankas military in their battle against separatist Tamil Tiger rebels during the civil war that ended in May 2009.
Sri Lanka also sends its military officers for higher training to both Pakistan and its arch-rival India as well as to several other countries, including the United States and China.
The islands closest neighbour India withheld arms and ammunition during the height of Colombos war with Tamil rebels, who have close cultural and religious links with the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
In talks with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Nawaz also expressed a desire for more naval exchanges.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka to sign MoUs for trade and training
There are vast opportunities for bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the quantum of trade will be taken to $1 billion annually, he said.
Speaking about the constant efforts of the two countries to improve bilateral relations, PM Nawaz said, I reiterated Pakistans offer to set up cement and sugar plants in Sri Lanka on mutually agreed terms for the long-term benefit of the Sri Lankan economy.
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