India reaffirms support for Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake greets India’s External Affairs Minister  Dr. S. Jaishankar when the latter paid a courtesy call yesterday

India yesterday reaffirmed its support for Sri Lanka with the two countries expressing commitment to further strengthen ties. 

The development follows Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar, calling on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the former’s one day visit to Sri Lanka.

A statement from President’s Media Division said at the outset, the visiting External Affairs Minister congratulated President Dissanayake on his election and conveyed felicitations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The discussions focused on furthering cooperation between the two nations in multiple sectors.

Dr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s full support for Sri Lanka’s economic rehabilitation, highlighting India’s commitment to assisting in tourism, investment, electricity, energy services, and the dairy industry. He emphasised that Sri Lanka could leverage India’s vast market to boost its economic recovery.

President Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for the financial support India provided during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis and stressed the importance of continued collaboration.

The meeting also touched on areas of mutual interest, including fisheries and promoting national unity.

On behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister Jaishankar extended an invitation to President Dissanayake to visit India at a mutually convenient date. President Dissanayake also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar also met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and held discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. EAM also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Separately, India’s External Affairs Ministry in a statement said Dr. Jaishankar in his discussions with Foreign Minister Herath, conveyed India’s strong commitment to advance bilateral cooperation based on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR outlook. In this context, he assured that India’s ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka through projects of Sri Lankan priority will be continued. He emphasised that India has offered to modernise the Kankesanthurai port through a grant to the tune of $ 61.5 million. He also conveyed that payments for 7 completed Line of Credit projects to the tune of $ 20 million could be converted into grant. India has also decided to gift 22 diesel locomotives to the Sri Lankan Railways.

Areas of mutual cooperation

In his meeting with the President, EAM spoke about ongoing initiatives in the field of energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development. He highlighted that they would contribute to economic sustainability and provide new streams of revenue. The Sri Lankan President said that India’s economic support is critical to realise his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka and meeting the aspirations of the people. He referred to the potential of export of renewable energy to India, which could help reduce production costs in Sri Lanka and create additional resources. The President also noted the contribution of Indian tourists and recognised that this has the potential to grow further.

EAM’s conversation with the leadership also covered facilitating Indian investments and job creation in Sri Lanka, as well as expanding the flow of Indian tourists. In his meeting with Prime Minister Amarasuriya, he underlined that the Government of India was prepared to respond to the training and capacity building requirements of Sri Lanka. Their discussion also focused on the benefits of digital public infrastructure.

On Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts, EAM recalled that India had been supportive of Sri Lanka’s economic stability and recovery from the very start. It was the first country to give financing assurances, which enabled the IMF to finalise the Extended Fund Facility. He confirmed India’s support in the Official Creditors’ Committee in respect of Sri Lanka’s agreement with International Sovereign Bond holders. India is also willing to expedite the conclusion of its bilateral MoU with Sri Lanka. The President conveyed his appreciation in that regard.

Regional security

Regarding security and defence, the meetings brought out that the interests of India and Sri Lanka were closely intertwined. Their collaboration was in mutual interest and contributed to the stability and security of the region. The importance of a continuous dialogue that would promote trust, transparency and mutual sensitivity was recognised. The President reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would never allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India’s security interests.

EAM raised the concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen who are detained in Sri Lanka. He pressed for their early release, as well as of their boats, and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on them. A humanitarian approach focused on livelihood issues would create a durable basis for addressing this matter. A meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries and of the Fishermen Associations would be timely. EAM appreciated the release of 50 Indian fishermen yesterday.

With regard to the ethnic issue and the reconciliation process, EAM reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, for equality, justice, dignity, peace while maintaining the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. The full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment of its Constitution and the early holding of Provincial Council elections will facilitate these objectives.

An invitation was extended on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by EAM to President Dissanayake to visit India at a mutually convenient date.