New Delhi:
Sri Lankan President Anuar Kumar Dissanayaka on Monday categorically assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the island nation’s territory will not be allowed to be used against India’s interests. The assurance came amid India’s concerns over China’s efforts to exert influence over Sri Lanka.
Dissanayaka, who was on a three-day visit to India, had extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi. During this, India and Sri Lanka resolved to soon finalize a defense cooperation agreement to expand their partnership and also decided to strengthen energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipeline.
Modi said in his media statement that he and the Sri Lankan President are in “complete agreement” that the security interests of the two countries are interconnected and in this sequence it was decided to quickly finalize the security cooperation agreement.
Modi informed Dissanayaka of India’s continued support to the island nation as it strives for economic reform and stability.
Two years ago, Sri Lanka had to face a massive economic crisis and India gave it financial assistance of four billion US dollars. Both the leaders directed the officials to finalize the discussions on bilateral MoU on debt restructuring.
Modi said, “We have adopted a futuristic approach to our partnership. We have emphasized investment-based development and connectivity in our economic partnership.
He said, “We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be the main pillars of our partnership. We will work towards establishing power-grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines between the two countries.
The Sri Lankan leader said in his remarks that the Indian Prime Minister has assured to always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. He said, “I have also assured the Prime Minister that we will not allow our land to be used for any work that is harmful to India’s interests.”
Dissanayaka said, “Cooperation with India will definitely flourish. And I want to assure our continued support for India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that a ferry service will be started between Rameshwaram and Talaimanar to improve connectivity between the two countries. Modi said, “We have jointly decided that after the successful launch of the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service, we will also start the ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar.”
Issues related to fishermen were also discussed in the talks. Modi said, “We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should adopt a humanitarian approach in this matter.
Referring to the issue of Tamils, he said that India hopes that the Sri Lankan government will fulfill the aspirations of the community. Modi said, “We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Dissanayaka informed me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan government will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil people.
“And they will fulfill their commitment to fully implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka and hold provincial council elections,” he said.
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka is demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment which provides for decentralization of power and its transfer to the community. The 13th Amendment was brought after the India-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Prime Minister Modi urged Dissanayaka for “full and effective” implementation of the Sri Lankan Constitution for a meaningful transfer of power.
The Foreign Secretary said Modi reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to support Sri Lanka in its economic stabilization efforts.
Misri said, “He (Modi) assured President Dissanayaka that India’s approach will be investment-led and grant-oriented to help Sri Lanka reduce its debt burden and create long-term and strong economic opportunities.” “
On the issue of fishermen, the Foreign Secretary said that it is agreed that use of force should be avoided in all circumstances.
In recent months, there have been incidents of Sri Lankan naval personnel firing on Indian fishermen.
Asked about Chinese military research vessels visiting Sri Lanka, Misri indicated that India has raised the issue and Colombo is considering it.
Misri said, “We pointed out the importance and sensitivity of our security interests and President Dissanayaka said very clearly that he will ensure that Sri Lankan territory is not allowed to be used for anything that affects India’s security.” It happens.”
He said, “We will continue to engage with the Government of Sri Lanka on all these issues and we are confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will continue to pay due attention to such important issues.”
During the talks, Dissanayaka thanked Modi for India’s support in stabilizing the Sri Lankan economy through “unique and multi-dimensional” assistance, including emergency financing and foreign exchange support of US$4 billion.
The Sri Lankan President said, “We faced an unprecedented economic crisis about two years ago and India fully supported us in coming out of that quagmire. Even after this, it (India) helped us a lot, especially in the debt restructuring process.
(This news has not been edited by NDTV team. It is published directly from the syndicate feed.)
