Won’t allow use of our territory against India’s security interests: Lankan Prez

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the island nation would not allow its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India. The assurance comes amid concerns in New Delhi over China’s attempts to increase its military influence over Lanka. In the past, Beijing has insisted on sending its warships to Sri Lanka.

PM on Tamil minorities

Hope the Lankan govt fulfils the aspirations of the Tamil minorities. Narendra Modi, pm

To address problems faced by fishermen

• India will train 1,500 Lankan civil servants over five years
• New Delhi to help roll out digital payment infrastructure in Lanka
• The two countries will address problems faced by fishermen
• Lankan defence forces will continue to be trained in India

Prez hosts Dissanayake

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday hosted a banquet for Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Welcoming Dissanayake and his delegation, Murmu congratulated him for his victory in presidential and parliamentary polls in Sri Lanka.

Dissanayake, who is on a three-day visit to India, held wide-ranging talks with PM Modi during which India offered its neighbour increased cooperation in infrastructure projects, energy sector, power supply, digital payment system and defence equipment. In a joint press statement, Modi said, “We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be the key pillars of our partnership.”

He said the two countries would cooperate towards establishing electricity-grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines to supply LNG to Lanka’s power plants. Highlighting that they discussed “reconciliation and reconstruction” in the neighbouring country, the PM expressed hope that the Lankan government would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minorities.

Earlier, India had stabilised the Sri Lankan economy through emergency financing and forex support worth $5 billion. Also, a financial aid of $20.66 million was given to settle payments due from Sri Lanka for projects completed under the existing lines of credit.

Reiterating India’s support to economic recovery and stability, the PM said the two sides agreed to work for timely completion of the ongoing housing project, hybrid renewable energy programme and community development projects across Sri Lanka.

Both leaders also agreed to advance maritime and security collaboration. The two countries will intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance and defence dialogue.

The two sides have agreed to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation. Sri Lankan defence forces will continue to be trained in India under tailor-made training programmes.

A joint statement said, “The two committed to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean.”

India will train 1,500 Lankan civil servants across ministries and departments over a period of five years.

On digital payments, India will collaborate to fully roll-out digital public infrastructure in the neigbouring country. Acknowledging the issues faced by fishermen on both sides and factoring the livelihood concerns, the leaders agreed on the need to continue to address these in a humanitarian manner. In this regard, they also underscored the need to avoid any aggressive behaviour or violence.