In the latest round of talks, both countries agreed to sign pacts in defence, health, and digital technology to strengthen the Island nation’s economy. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the meeting assured the Indian Prime minister that he will not allow Sri Lankan land to be used for any harm to India. This is in the backdrop of reports of Chinese vessels visiting the Island country which raised concerns for India.
PM Modi visited Colombo after returning from the BIMSTEC summit held in Bangkok and was also honoured with Sri Lanka’s highest civilian order to a foreign head of state, the Mitra Vibhushan. Mr Modi reiterated Dissanayake’s stand and added that he trusts his words and is ready to cooperate with the Island nation, emphasising the importance of cooperation between the two nations for a stronger South Asia and the Indian Ocean.
India and Sri Lanka have the Tamil issue as a bone of contention in their relations and talks on solving it were the center of this meeting. Mr Modi in his statement said, “We hope that the Sri Lankan government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and conducting provincial council elections.”
This visit was the first by the Janatha Vimukthi Perumuna (JVP), and important for India as it was chosen as the first destination of the visit by the JVP, which has been anti-India for a long time. It was hailed by the Indian PM who told a media portal, “ “We have adopted a futuristic vision for our partnership. We have emphasised investment-led growth and connectivity in our economic partnership.”
To foster a strong economic partnership digital infrastructure, energy, and physical connectivity have been emphasised as the three central pillars. PM Modi said in Hindi that both the leaders understand their interests are interlinked and hence they have decided to ink a defence partnership as soon as possible.
The Indian leader was also heard hailing his counterpart for his “inclusive approach” and calling his words a “shield of a true friend.”
Sri Lanka is strategically important as it has access to the Indian Ocean and time and again China has tried to use its power to influence the country against India. The visit by the Sri Lankan President and his meeting with the Prime minister might open up a new path for building a healthy and sustained relationship with Sri Lanka.
