New Delhi: On his first visit to India, and amid a growing Chinese security footprint in the region, Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured PM Modi on Monday that he wouldn’t allow Lankan territory to be used in a manner detrimental to India’s security interests.
After a bilateral with Dissanayake, Modi said they have agreed to finalise security and defence cooperation agreements, while acknowledging that the security interests of the two countries are interconnected. Both underlined the importance of mutual trust and transparency.
Asked about the contentious issue of Chinese research vessels berthing in Sri Lanka and whether it was raised with the president, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said India pointed to the importance and sensitivity of its security concerns. Dissanayake, Misri said, was “very upfront” in pledging he would ensure Lankan territory isn’t used in a way that could impact India’s security.
Dissanayake’s remark, made in his joint press statement with Modi, is reassuring for India as the Marxist politician prepares to visit Beijing next month in a tough balancing act to keep ties stable with both India and China.
India and Lanka signed two MoUs, including one for avoidance of double taxation. India announced financial assistance of $14.9 million for the signalling project of a railway section in Sri Lanka.
Modi and Dissanayake discussed reconstruction and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka, with Modi expressing hope that Dissanayake’s govt would fulfil the aspirations of Tamils and its commitment towards fully implementing the country’s Constitution and conducting provincial council elections.
Modi said in his media statement that he and Disanayaka were in full agreement that Indian and Lankan security interests were interconnected, and they had decided to quickly finalise a security cooperation agreement while also backing cooperation on hydrography. As they also agreed to ramp up defence cooperation, India and Sri Lanka will now explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation.
“We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this umbrella, support shall be extended in the matters of maritime security, counter terrorism, cyber security, combating smuggling and organized crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” said Modi, adding India shall stand as a trusted and reliable partner in the president’s efforts towards nation building. The Conclave, which also involves Mauritius and the Maldives, seeks to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the member-states.
The president also said in his remarks that Modi assured him India would work to protect Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and national integrity. He also raised the fishermen issue with Modi, seeking action against bottom trawling by Indian fishermen. Modi said he and Dissanayake agreed to adopt a humanitarian approach to the fishermen issue.
“We have adopted a futuristic vision for our partnership. We have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity in our economic partnership. And have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity shall be the key pillars of our partnership,” said Modi, adding that the leaders will work towards establishing electricity-grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines between both the nations.
According to the joint statement, the leaders acknowledged the “positive and impactful” role of India’s development assistance to Sri Lanka, with Dissanayake appreciating India’s continued support for the implementation of projects despite the ongoing debt restructuring.
“He further acknowledged India’s decision to extend grant assistance for projects that were originally undertaken through Lines of Credit, thereby reducing the debt burden of Sri Lanka,” said the statement, adding that the president acknowledged India’s crucial assistance in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process.
“He further thanked the Govt of India for extending financial assistance of $20.66 million to settle payments due from Sri Lanka for projects completed under existing Lines of Credit thereby significantly reducing the debt burden at a critical time,” it said.
