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President Dissanayake reiterates Sri Lanka’s position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India
Asserting that the security interests of the two nations are interconnected, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake have announced that a Defence Cooperation Agreement will be finalised soon. The announcement came after the Indian Prime Minister and the visiting Sri Lankan President held extensive bilateral discussions In New Delhi on Monday (December 16, 2024).
The two sides have also decided to intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges. At the same time, India will provide defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities.
The talks, which took place during President Dissanayake's first overseas visit after assuming office following his victory in the elections held earlier this year, also focused on crucial areas like development cooperation, debt restructuring, connectivity, and energy development in addition to trade and investment.
Sri Lankan President's Deep Appreciation for India’s Support
According to a joint statement issued after the talks, President Dissanayake conveyed his “deep appreciation for the unwavering support extended by India” to the people of Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022.
Recalling his profound commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people for a prosperous future, greater opportunities, and sustained economic growth, he looked forward to India’s continued support for the achievement of these objectives. Prime Minister Modi assured President Disanayaka of India’s full commitment in this regard, in keeping with the special place Sri Lanka occupies in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.
“It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President and I am grateful to PM @narendramodi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and for aiding debt restructuring. We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and stopping illegal fishing during our meeting today. I invited PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka and assured India that Sri Lanka’s territory would not be used against India’s security interests,” the Sri Lankan President said on social media platform X.
“It was indeed wonderful meeting you, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Your visit to India is going to add great momentum to the India-Sri Lanka friendship!” Prime Minister Modi said in reply.
Security Interests Interconnected, says PM Modi
“President Disanayaka and I are in full agreement that our security interests are interconnected. We have decided to quickly finalise the Security Cooperation Agreement. We have also agreed to cooperate on Hydrography,” Prime Minister Modi said at the joint press conference held after the talks.
Referring to the Colombo Security Conclave as an important platform for regional peace, security and development, Prime Minister Modi stated: “Under this umbrella, support shall be extended in the matters of maritime security, counter terrorism, cyber security, combating smuggling and organized crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”.
President Dissanayake echoed similar sentiments as he assured that Sri Lanka would not permit its territory to be used in any manner that is inimical to India's security interests.
“India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, President Disanayaka reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability,” the joint statement said.
According to the joint statement, Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake took cognizance of various security threats such as terrorism, drug/narcotics smuggling, money laundering, and agreed to further strengthen the ongoing efforts in training, capacity building, and intelligence and information sharing.
In this context, they agreed to:
i. Explore the possibility of concluding a framework Agreement on Defence Cooperation;
ii. Foster cooperation in hydrography;
iii. Provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities;
iv. Intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges;
v. Extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and
vi. Enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailor-made training programmes, wherever required.
As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region.
The two sides have also decided to intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges. At the same time, India will provide defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities.
The talks, which took place during President Dissanayake's first overseas visit after assuming office following his victory in the elections held earlier this year, also focused on crucial areas like development cooperation, debt restructuring, connectivity, and energy development in addition to trade and investment.
Sri Lankan President's Deep Appreciation for India’s Support
According to a joint statement issued after the talks, President Dissanayake conveyed his “deep appreciation for the unwavering support extended by India” to the people of Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022.
Recalling his profound commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people for a prosperous future, greater opportunities, and sustained economic growth, he looked forward to India’s continued support for the achievement of these objectives. Prime Minister Modi assured President Disanayaka of India’s full commitment in this regard, in keeping with the special place Sri Lanka occupies in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.
“It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President and I am grateful to PM @narendramodi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and for aiding debt restructuring. We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and stopping illegal fishing during our meeting today. I invited PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka and assured India that Sri Lanka’s territory would not be used against India’s security interests,” the Sri Lankan President said on social media platform X.
“It was indeed wonderful meeting you, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Your visit to India is going to add great momentum to the India-Sri Lanka friendship!” Prime Minister Modi said in reply.
Security Interests Interconnected, says PM Modi
“President Disanayaka and I are in full agreement that our security interests are interconnected. We have decided to quickly finalise the Security Cooperation Agreement. We have also agreed to cooperate on Hydrography,” Prime Minister Modi said at the joint press conference held after the talks.
Referring to the Colombo Security Conclave as an important platform for regional peace, security and development, Prime Minister Modi stated: “Under this umbrella, support shall be extended in the matters of maritime security, counter terrorism, cyber security, combating smuggling and organized crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief”.
President Dissanayake echoed similar sentiments as he assured that Sri Lanka would not permit its territory to be used in any manner that is inimical to India's security interests.
“India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, President Disanayaka reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability,” the joint statement said.
According to the joint statement, Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake took cognizance of various security threats such as terrorism, drug/narcotics smuggling, money laundering, and agreed to further strengthen the ongoing efforts in training, capacity building, and intelligence and information sharing.
In this context, they agreed to:
i. Explore the possibility of concluding a framework Agreement on Defence Cooperation;
ii. Foster cooperation in hydrography;
iii. Provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities;
iv. Intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges;
v. Extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and
vi. Enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailor-made training programmes, wherever required.
As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region.
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