Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured India on Monday that Sri Lanka would not allow its land to be used against India’s interests. During his first visit to New Delhi, he gave this assurance after talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.
“I assured the Prime Minister that Sri Lanka will not act against India’s interests,” Dissanayake said. Modi highlighted their shared security concerns and announced plans to finalize a defense cooperation agreement soon.
Both leaders emphasized securing the Indian Ocean Region through maritime cooperation, joint exercises, and defense partnerships. This comes amid India’s concerns over China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, including its control of the Hambantota Port.
On Tamil minority issues, Modi urged Sri Lanka to promote reconciliation, implement its Constitution, and hold provincial elections. While the 13th Amendment wasn’t directly mentioned, Dissanayake emphasized unity and inclusion. They also agreed on a “humanitarian approach” to resolve the fishermen’s dispute.
Economic cooperation took center stage, with plans for grid connectivity, petroleum pipelines, and LNG supply to Sri Lanka. Modi stressed the importance of physical, digital, and energy connectivity. Dissanayake thanked India for its $5 billion support during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, calling India a reliable partner.
The visit underscored stronger bilateral ties through security, economic collaboration, and regional stability in the Indian Ocean
Khushi Agarwal
BJMC 5
