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President Dissanayake's first state visit to India after Sri Lanka's recent elections focused on reconciliation, development, and defence cooperation
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The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army |
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Minister for Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando, made a three-day state visit to India from December 15-17, 2024. This was the first bilateral visit of President Dissanayake to India after the recently concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka. During his visit, President Dissanayake met President Draupadi Murmu, held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participated in a business event to promote investment and commercial linkages between India and Sri Lanka. He also visited Bodh Gaya.
India reiterated its commitment to Sri Lanka through timely support during the economic crisis and ongoing collaborative projects.
Sri Lanka is India's closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a central place in Prime Minister Modi's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Both countries are civilisational partners with a unique friendship and India has time and again demonstrated it is present in the role of a first responder. India's support has been timely, swift and unconditional.
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake held detailed discussions on issues of mutual interest including promoting reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Modi asked President Dissanayake for a full and effective implementation of the Sri Lankan constitution for meaningful devolution and for holding provincial council elections at the earliest. Following the delegation level talks, a joint statement was issued by the two sides.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed its stance against allowing its territory to be used against India's security interests.
Important issues of the Joint Statement titled 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' are summarised as under:
The visit of President Dissanayake opens a new chapter in India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations. A lot will depend on the effective and timely implementation of the measures outlined in the joint statement for transforming the relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighbourly ties, and contributing to stability of the IOR.
China's deep economic and military ties with Sri Lanka remain a significant strategic consideration for India.
India would need to keep in mind China's strategic and aggressive designs in the IOR plus Beijing's hold and investments in Sri Lanka. China has been a continuing source of military equipment to Sri Lanka, and is helping to modernise Sri Lanka Armed Forces. China-supplied weapons helped defeat the LTTE in 2008-2009. When the US ceased military aid to Sri Lanka in 2007, China provided Sri Lanka $1 billion to become its biggest donor, giving tens of millions of dollars' worth of military equipment. Hence, Sri Lanka views China as a reliable partner in security matters. Chinese exports to the Sri Lankan military include ammunition, anti-tank guided missiles, rocket launchers, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, deep penetration bombs and rockets, mortar ammunition, night vision devices, artillery, APCs, tanks, jets, naval vessels, radars, and communications equipment. China helped the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) set up the Aircraft Overhaul Wing and provided Chinese specialists who assisted and guided the SLAF.
In August 2022. Chinese research vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at the Hambantota Port which is on lease to China for 99 years having fallen into China's debt-trap. In 2023, the Export-Import Bank of China provided Sri Lanka an extension on its debts due in 2022 and 2023. Chinese nuclear submarines and spy ships have been visiting and docking in Sri Lanka. They may still do so under the garb of training vessels. President Dissanayake's visit to China would indicate how Beijing plans to deal with the new Sri Lankan government.