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Visit of Sri Lankan President

President Dissanayake's first state visit to India after Sri Lanka's recent elections focused on reconciliation, development, and defence cooperation

December 26, 2024 By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd) Photo(s): By PIB, X / MEAIndia
The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

 

President of India, Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the Ceremonial welcome of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on December 16, 2024.

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.

President of India, Droupadi Murmu hosts the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on December 16, 2024.

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:

  • Both leaders reaffirmed that the bilateral partnership is underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and people-to-people relations. President Dissanayake appreciated India's unwavering support during and after Sri Lanka's economic crisis in 2022.
  • Political Exchanges. Both leaders agreed to intensify political engagements at leadership and ministerial levels to promote democratic values and share expertise on their institutional best practices.
  • Development. Cooperate for timely completion of Indian projects in Sri Lanka (Phase III & IV of Housing Project, 3-Islands Renewable Energy Project, High Impact Community Development Projects). Identify new projects/areas of cooperation in accordance with the priorities of Sri Lanka.
  • Training and Capacity Building. Training of 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants across ministries and departments over five years in India and to explore further training programs for Sri Lankan officials in other areas.
  • Debt Restructuring. Both leaders instructed officials to finalize discussions on the bilateral MoU on Debt Restructuring and agreed a strategic shift from debt-driven models towards investment-led partnerships would ensure better economic recovery, development and prosperity in Sri Lanka.
  • Connectivity. Both sides to work for early recommencement of the passenger ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar and explore rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai Port with grant assistance from India.
  • Energy. Progress implementation Sampur solar power project and consider LNG supply from India, high-capacity India-Sri Lanka power grid, India-Sri Lanka-UAE multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka, joint development of offshore wind power in Palk Straits.
  • Digitisation. Both leaders agreed to: expedite Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project; roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance; establish a Joint Working Group to implement DPI stack in Sri Lanka; implement DigiLocker in Sri Lanka. India extended UPI payment for both countries.
  • Education and Technology. Collaboration in agriculture, aquaculture, digital economy, health, educational institutions and startups.
  • Trade, Investment & Agriculture. Progress Economic & Technological Cooperation Agreement, Indian investments in Sri Lanka, finalisation of bilateral Social Security Agreement. Establish JWG to develop agriculture in Sri Lanka.
  • Strategic & Defence Cooperation. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to cooperate in countering traditional/non-traditional threats and ensure a free, open, safe and secure IOR. President Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka's position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India. Both leaders agreed to advance maritime and security collaboration, explore possible framework Agreement on Defence Cooperation for cooperation in hydrography, provision of defence platforms/ assets for Sri Lanka, enhance collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges, Indian assistance for disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation.
  • Regional & Multilateral Cooperation. Both sided welcomed signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave headquartered in Colombo. India reiterated its support to Sri Lanka in advancing the objectives of the Conclave, as well as Sri Lanka's Chairmanship of the IORA. Both reaffirmed commitment for regional cooperation under BIMSTEC. Sri Lanka requested Indian support for Sri Lanka becoming a member of BRICS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on December 16, 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends delegation level talks with the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake between India and Sri Lanka at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on December 16, 2024.

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.