Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday, 17 December 2024 02:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka and India yesterday agreed to transform its bilateral relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighbourly ties.
The agreement was reached during official talks between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, where the former is making his first overseas State visit.
The two leaders “noted that the effective and timely implementation of agreed measures, as outlined, would deepen the bilateral ties between the two countries and transform the relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighbourly ties,” said the joint communique issued following bilateral talks.
The leaders also directed their officials to initiate necessary measures for implementation of the understandings and agreed to extend guidance, where required. They further resolved to continue engagement at the leadership level to qualitatively enhance bilateral ties that are mutually beneficial, cater to sustainable developmental needs of Sri Lanka, and contribute to the stability of the Indian Ocean Region.
The two leaders also reaffirmed that the India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership is underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilisational ties, geographical proximity, and people-to-people relations. They carried out a comprehensive review of the present status of the ties and exchanged views on the ways and means to further strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the future.
The 34-point joint communique covered a wide range of issues. They included Training and Capacity Building; Building Connectivity; Energy Development; People-Centric Digitisation; Education and Technology; Trade and Investment Cooperation; Agriculture and Animal Husbandry; Strategic and Defence Cooperation; Cultural and Tourism Development; Fisheries Issues, and Regional and Multilateral Cooperation.
Referring to the visit and bilateral talks, India’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on ‘X’, said: “A new milestone in the - partnership.”
In his remarks, President Dissanayake said his visit occurs at an important juncture in the political scenario of both nations, where “people have explicitly spoken through the democratically established electoral systems and given us the mandate to steer the two countries along the path of sustainable development, social empowerment, and prosperity.”
Detailing the unprecedented people’s mandate Dissanayake received at the Presidential and Parliamentary Election, he said: “As a leader entrusted with such an important responsibility by my people, I clearly understand that the essence of democracy lies in the coexistence of diverse political views and groups.”
He also said his visit to India demonstrated close and friendly ties the two countries have been enjoying since time immemorial.
During bilateral talks, President Dissanayake requested for Prime Minister Modi’s intervention in convening early bilateral technical discussions pertaining to Sri Lanka’s claim to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) for the establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone.
While welcoming the recent conclusion of the Sixth Joint Working Group on Fisheries, Sri Lanka also discussed the need for a cooperative approach in addressing the fisheries issue for a sustainable solution. “Recognising the irreparable ecological damage caused by bottom trawling, which is a banned practice in both countries, I requested that measures be taken to stop this practice and curb IUU fishing,” Dissanayake said.
“I assured the Indian leader that Sri Lanka will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability. Sri Lanka attaches great importance to the continuous development and deepening of cooperation with India, which I have no doubt would be further consolidated in the years to come,” Dissanayake added.
In his remarks Prime Minister Modi said he was pleased that Dissanayake chose India for his first foreign visit, as President.
“President Dissanayake’s visit has infused renewed dynamism and energy in our relationship. We have adopted a futuristic vision for our partnership,” said Modi. “We have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity in our economic partnership and have decided that physical, digital, and energy connectivity shall be the key pillars of our partnership,” he added.
Modi also said both leaders are in full agreement that security interests of India and Sri Lanka are interconnected. “We have decided to quickly finalise the Security Cooperation Agreement. We have also agreed to cooperate on Hydrography. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security, and development,” Modi said.
“I have assured President Dissanayake that India shall stand as a trusted and reliable partner in his efforts towards nation building,” Modi said.
He said the two leaders also spoke about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
“We hope that the Sri Lankan Government shall fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people and that they shall fulfil their commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka and conducting the Provincial Council Elections.”
