‘Sri Lanka’s Territory Won’t Be Used Against India’s Security Interests’: Prez Dissanayake After Meeting PM Modi
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake after meeting PM Narendra Modi during his India visit assured that Sri Lankan territory will not be used against India's security interests.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during his maiden overseas visit to India, assured New Delhi that Sri Lanka's territory would not be used against India’s security interests. The commitment was made following his wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.
President Dissanayake took to X (formerly Twitter) to express gratitude for India’s support during Sri Lanka's economic crisis. “It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President and I am grateful to PM @narendramodi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and for aiding debt restructuring. We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and stopping illegal fishing during our meeting today. I invited PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka and assured India that Sri Lanka’s territory would not be used against India’s security interests,” he posted.
It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President and I am grateful to PM @narendramodi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and for aiding debt restructuring. We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and stopping illegal fishing… pic.twitter.com/hk1dOjK8IV
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) December 16, 2024
The two leaders adopted a forward-looking approach to deepen their bilateral relationship, with a focus on energy, defence, trade, and connectivity.
Prime Minister Modi underscored the importance of investment-led growth and emphasised that physical, digital, and energy connectivity would serve as the foundation of the India-Sri Lanka partnership.
“We have decided to establish electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines. India will also supply liquefied natural gas to Sri Lanka’s power plants,” Modi announced, as quoted by news agency PTI. Additionally, a ferry service between Rameswaram and Talaimanar will be launched to enhance connectivity.
ALSO READ | PM Modi Meets Sri Lankan President Dissanayake, Calls For Focus On 'Investment-Led Growth'
PM Modi, Sri Lanka's Dissanayake Agree On Humanitarian Approach For Tamil Fishermen
On defence cooperation, the two sides resolved to finalise a defence pact and agreed to collaborate on hydrography. Modi highlighted the interconnected security interests of the two nations, adding that the longstanding issue of fishermen’s livelihoods was discussed with an emphasis on adopting a humanitarian approach.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed in a presser, "... The leadership had extensive discussions and agreed that issues related to fishermen should be dealt with humanitarian perspective since these are issues related to livelihood. Use of force must be avoided under all circumstances."
#WATCH | Delhi: On the visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "... The leadership had extensive discussions and agreed that issues related to fisherman should be dealt with humanitarian perspective since these are… pic.twitter.com/JJAc9RZutP
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2024
Addressing the Tamil community's aspirations, Modi expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfil their expectations. He also noted that India has provided over USD 5 billion in Lines of Credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka, with projects spanning all 25 districts of the island nation. “The selection of our projects is always based on the priorities of our partner countries,” Modi stated.
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