- Friday, January 17, 2025
Modi conveyed to Dissanayake India’s consistent support to the island nation in its quest for economic recovery and stability
By: shajil kumar
SRI LANKAN president Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday clearly conveyed to prime minister Narendra Modi that the island nation’s soil will not be allowed for use against India’s interests, an assurance that came amid concerns in New Delhi over China’s attempts to increase its influence over Colombo.
Dissanayake is currently on a three-day visit to India and held wide-ranging talks with prime minister Modi.
Both sides decided to soon conclude a defence cooperation agreement and ramp up energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines.
In his media statement, Modi said he and the Sri Lankan president were in “full agreement” that security interests of both the countries are interconnected and it was decided to quickly finalise the security cooperation agreement.
Modi conveyed to Dissanayake India’s consistent support to the island nation in its quest for economic recovery and stability.
The two leaders instructed officials to finalise discussions on the bilateral MoU on debt restructuring.
In his remarks, the Sri Lankan leader said the Indian prime minister has given an assurance to always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
“I have also given an assurance to the prime minister that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interests of India,” he said.
“The cooperation with India will certainly flourish. And I want to reassure our continued support for India,” he added.
Underlining importance of connectivity, Modi said a decision was taken to initiate a ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar.
“We have jointly decided that, post the successful launch of the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service, we will also initiate a ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar,” he said.
The prime minister said he and the Sri Lankan leader also deliberated on the fishermen issue and agreed that a “humanitarian approach” should be adopted on it.
Modi hoped that the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people in the island nation.
The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it. The 13th amendment was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987.
Dissanayake visits Mahabodhi Temple
Dissanayake on Tuesday visited Bodh Gaya in Bihar’s Gaya district and prayed at the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO world heritage site.
After arriving at Gaya International Airport, Dissanayake went straight to the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple, one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment.
He also offered prayers and flowers under the sacred Bodhi Tree, a supposed direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which Buddha spent his First Week and had his enlightenment.
Wickremesinghe hails joint statement
Former president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday hailed the joint statement issued by India and Sri Lanka during Dissanayake’s visit to India, saying it will further deepen bilateral cooperation.
In a statement in Colombo, Wickremesinghe welcomed the development, saying it further deepens Indo-Lanka cooperation.
“I also commend President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for going ahead with the economic and technical cooperation agreement (ETCA) and the development of Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub,” he said. (PTI)
