India and Sri Lanka are working on an update of an existing agreement on defence cooperation that is expected to be concluded during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a special media briefing in New Delhi on Friday. “The defence agreement is being signed for the first time,” Misri said without giving details.
After attending the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok, PM Modi is due to travel to Sri Lanka on a State visit from April 4–6, at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The two leaders will witness the exchange of multiple agreements related to energy connectivity, digitisation, defence, health, and multi-sectoral grant assistance. The MoU on defence cooperation is set to signal a major upward trajectory in India-Sri Lanka defence.
A joint statement issued during President Dissanayake’s visit to India had said that the Indian side will provide defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s military capabilities and the two countries will intensify collaboration through joint exercises and maritime surveillance. The two sides are also likely to firm up a currency swap framework and seal several other agreements including one on debt restructuring.
Misri said Modi’s visit to the island nation comes in the context of a recovering Sri Lankan economy. As Sri Lanka resumes its “growth path”, the visit comes at an opportune moment giving the two countries an opportunity to explore new areas of partnership and cooperation, he added.
The State visit of President Dissanayake to India in December last year – his first overseas visit as the President of Sri Lanka – marked a “watershed moment” in bilateral relations. The robust diplomatic relations between the two neighbours are expected to get a further boost as PM Modi will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by President Dissanayake.
“The India-Sri Lanka relationship is deeply rooted in civilisational links, shared history, religion, culture, and strong people-to-people ties. In the modern era, it has evolved into a close economic, cultural, and technical partnership. Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, and this relationship, built on mutual trust and goodwill, has stood the test of time.
“India has come to the assistance of Sri Lanka at critical moments, most recently during the unprecedented economic crisis that Sri Lanka faced in 2022. India was glad to play a key role in the economic stabilisation and recovery of the country thereby demonstrating its commitment as a dependable neighbour and as a first responder to any crisis in the region,” said Foreign Secretary Misri.
During the visit, the Indian Prime Minister will hold discussions with President Dissanayake to review the progress on the areas of cooperation agreed upon in the joint vision for ‘Fostering partnerships for a shared future’ adopted during the Sri Lankan President’s State visit to India. The Prime Minister will also have meetings with senior political leaders.
PM Modi will travel to Anuradhapura with President Dissanayake for the inauguration of development projects implemented with Indian financial assistance.
In Anuradhapura, both leaders will pay their respects at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple complex in Anuradhapura. PM Modi also visited the temple, which holds a special significance in India-Sri Lanka civilisational partnership, during his visit to the country in 2015. Prime Minister Modi visited Sri Lanka again in 2019.
During their discussions, both leaders will also discuss all issues related to the Indo-Lanka fisheries issue, including the repatriation of Indian fishermen and fishing boats. The Indian Government said it has attached the “highest priority” to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen and has been consistently taking up these issues through bilateral mechanisms, diplomatic channels, and various official interactions, including by the Prime Minister at his recent meeting with President Dissanayake on December 16 last year.
Foreign Secretary Misri said that it is a longstanding issue that traces its origins to arrangements made in the mid-1970s when the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) between India and Sri Lanka was agreed upon by the authorities at Central and State levels.
India has also repeatedly called upon the Sri Lankan Government to treat the fishermen issue as a humanitarian and livelihood concern without using force under any circumstances. – IANS, ET, HT
