Narendra Modi, Prime Minister.
Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will start a three-day visit to Sri Lanka on Friday, which will focus on strengthening the overall bilateral defense relations as well as strengthening cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and contact. There will be talks between Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on Saturday. In the backdrop of China’s tireless efforts to increase military influence on Sri Lanka, both sides can sign a major defense cooperation agreement.
Modi will reach the capital of Sri Lanka after attending the summit of BIMSTEC (Bay Bay of Bengal Multi-regional technical and economic cooperation) in Bangkok. In a statement before starting a journey to two countries on Thursday, Modi said, “We will have an opportunity to review the progress made on the joint approach to ‘promote partnership for a common future” and to guide our shared objectives. ” The joint approach was adopted three months ago during the Sri Lankan President’s visit to New Delhi.
What will be the talks between India and Sri Lanka
After the Modi-Disanayak talks, there is also a possibility of several other bilateral agreements between the two sides, including Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring. At a press conference last week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Egypt had said that a consent letter (MoU) is expected to be signed for defense cooperation and will be signed for the first time. If the MoUs related to defense cooperation are signed, it would be a sign of a major progress in India-Sri Lanka defense relations. After this agreement, about 35 years ago, India will be left behind by the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Army (IPKF) from Sri Lanka. Detailed details of the proposed defense agreement are not available immediately, but it is expected that this will increase bilateral defense relations in the backdrop of China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean region.
Talk at Hambantota Port
The incident of anchor of Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang’ at Hambantota port in August 2022 gave rise to diplomatic dispute between India and Sri Lanka. In August 2023, another Chinese warship anchored at the Colombo port. Regarding the overall relationships, Egyptian said, “Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘neighbor first’ policy and our relationship based on mutual trust and goodwill has lived up to the test of time.” He said that Modi’s travel would focus on promoting investment and strengthening contact and promoting cooperation in various other fields. (Language)
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