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India – Sri Lanka Ties: Many agreements signed in PM Modi & President Anura’s meet
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Several MoUs were exchanged between the two countries in New Delhi in the presence of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is on a visit to India. On Monday, the second day of the state visit, President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On this occasion, both countries exchanged MoUs.
The Ministry of External Affairs said, ‘A new milestone in the India-Sri Lanka partnership. Extensive discussions were held between the Indian and Sri Lankan delegations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Both sides reviewed the comprehensive India-Sri Lanka partnership and agreed on a roadmap to deepen relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the region.’
Achieved tremendous success in digitizing
After this, PM Modi and Dissanayake held a joint press conference. During this, the Sri Lankan President said, ‘India has achieved tremendous success in digitizing public services. Sri Lanka is also moving on the same path. PM Modi has assured me of support in this effort.’
PM Modi expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan President
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, ‘I welcome President Dissanayake to India. We are happy that, as President, you have chosen India for your first foreign state visit. Today’s visit is infusing new momentum and energy into our relations. We have adopted a forward-looking vision for our partnership. In our economic cooperation, we have emphasized investment-led growth and connectivity. We have decided that physical, digital, and energy connectivity will be important pillars of our partnership. Work will be done for electricity grid connectivity and multi-petroleum pipelines’
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He said, ‘When the Pali was given classical language status in India, it was also celebrated in Lanka. Ferry service and Chennai-Jaffna flight connectivity have promoted tourism and strengthened our cultural ties. We have decided that after the successful launch of Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai ferry services, now ferry service will be started between Rameswaram and Talaimannar in India.’
‘India will remain a reliable partner in Sri Lanka’s development’
He further said, ‘Work will also be done to realise the immense potential of tourism through the Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail of Sri Lanka. We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach in this matter. We also talked about construction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake told me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils and fulfil its commitment to fully implement the Sri Lankan Constitution and hold provincial council elections. I have assured President Dissanayake that India will continue to be a reliable partner in many ways in Sri Lanka’s development efforts.’
PM Modi said, ‘We fully agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalize the defence cooperation agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conference is an important platform for regional peace, security, and development. Under this, cooperation will be increased on topics like maritime security, combating terrorism, cyber security, fighting against smuggling and organized crime, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief. The mutual relations between the people of India and Sri Lanka are linked to our civilizations.’
Assistance of five billion dollars has been given: PM Modi
He said, ‘India has provided credit lines and granted assistance of five billion dollars to Lanka so far. We have cooperation in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, and the selection of our projects is always based on the development priorities of the partner countries. Taking our development cooperation forward, we have decided to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation of the Maho-Anuradhapuram railway section and the signalling system of Kankesanthurai Port.
Under education cooperation, monthly scholarships will be given to 200 students in universities in Jaffna and Eastern Province from next year. 1500 civil servants of Lanka will be trained in India in the next five years. Along with housing, renewable energy, and infrastructure, India will also cooperate for the development of agriculture, dairy, and fisheries in Sri Lanka. India will also participate in the Unique Digital Identity Project in Lanka.’
Paves the way for further development of cooperation between the two countries
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, ‘This is my first foreign visit after becoming the President of Lanka. I am very happy that I could come to Delhi on my first state visit. I would like to thank India for inviting me and for the warm welcome. I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu. This visit has strengthened the relations between the two countries.
