New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake discussed matters of mutual interest during the President's state visit to India, further exploring avenues to strengthen centuries-old relations between the two nations. The leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in all sectors and renew the strong cultural, economic, and political bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake thanked India for its unstinting support during Sri Lanka's critical 2022 economic crunch and its pivotal role in Sri Lanka's debt restructuring exercise. Prime Minister Modi once more assured India of its readiness to support Sri Lanka, reaffirming its relevance in the context of the Neighbourhood First policy. The leaders agreed to focus on speedy completion of ongoing projects, including housing and renewable energy development projects. They pledged improvements in the livelihoods of the Tamil people and solar electrification for religious institutions.
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India-Sri Lanka strengthen ties with focus on connectivity, energy, digital transformation, defense, and economic growth.
The key thrust of the dialogue was to improve connectivity and cooperation on energy. Agreements included a resumption of passenger ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, rehabilitation of the Kankesanthurai port with Indian assistance, collaboration in renewable energy initiatives in solar and wind power projects, LNG supply, and development of Trincomalee as a regional energy hub.
India and Sri Lanka Strengthen Ties with Focus on Digital Transformation, Defense, and Economic Growth
India has pledged to support Sri Lanka in achieving its digital transformation - the SLUDI project and introducing the Indian UPI payment system to Sri Lanka. Apart from this, India also promises to train 1,500 civil servants in Sri Lanka to improve administrative capacity and governance.
Trade and investment were part of the discussion during meetings, including the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, the expansion of which will encourage investments in priority sectors and help finalize a bilateral Social Security Agreement. Both leaders also emphasized utilizing economic ties to boost the region's growth and recovery.
Leaders reiterated and reaffirmed their commitment to this region's stability within defence and security. India intends to continue cooperating with Lanka in modernizing the Lankan defence systems, focusing on maritime surveillance, cooperating in joint military exercises, and collaborating on counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and other such transactional threats.
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Discussions were held on cultural and tourism exchanges whereby the two leaders agreed to develop air connectivity, religious and cultural tourism, and infrastructure that highlights the shared heritage between the two nations. Long-standing issues of fisheries were addressed, emphasizing humane solutions rather than violent incidents involving fishermen.
The joint statement released after the meeting underlined that the changing nature of the partnership between India and Sri Lanka was a new and emerging trend driven by trust, regional security, and a shared aspiration to attain economic recovery and sustainable development. In this regard, the visit also emphasized the role of the relationship between India and Sri Lanka as an important cornerstone for stability and progress in the region.
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