Sri Lankan President Dissanayake begins India go to with talks on commerce, safety

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka held discussions with Indian Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Nationwide Safety Adviser Ajit Doval on Sunday (December 15), marking the beginning of his three-day go to to India.

Dissanayaka’s go to, his first overseas journey since taking workplace, is predicted to concentrate on enhancing cooperation in commerce, funding, vitality, and maritime safety. He’s scheduled to carry talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 16).

“Held fruitful discussions tonight with @DrSJaishankar and Shri Ajit Doval on issues of mutual curiosity,” Disanayaka mentioned in a publish on ‘X’, previously Twitter. Whereas no official particulars had been supplied, the discussions reportedly lined bilateral ties and increasing strategic cooperation between neighbours.

Throughout my official go to to India, I had the privilege of partaking in productive discussions with Finance Minister @nsitharaman, Exterior Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar, and Nationwide Safety Advisor Shri Ajit Doval. Our conversations centered on strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka… pic.twitter.com/A5mkZ4TS1D

— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) December 15, 2024

Strengthening ties

The Indian Ministry of Exterior Affairs described the go to as a possibility to deepen the connection between India and Sri Lanka, New Delhi’s closest maritime neighbour within the Indian Ocean. The ministry mentioned the 2 nations’ developments are “intertwined” and pressured the significance of working collectively whereas respecting one another’s safety pursuits and sensitivities.

Dissanayaka was welcomed on the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for Data and Broadcasting L. Murugan. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal known as the go to an opportunity to “add momentum to the people-centric partnership.”

Along with assembly PM Modi, Dissanayaka will meet Indian President Droupadi Murmu, attend a enterprise occasion in Delhi to advertise funding, and go to Bodh Gaya.

Tamil aspirations and financial help

In the course of the talks, India is predicted to convey its expectations for Sri Lanka to handle the aspirations of its Tamil neighborhood by implementing the thirteenth Modification, which gives for devolution of energy to Tamil-majority areas. The modification was launched following the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan settlement.

India can also be prone to reaffirm its dedication to aiding Sri Lanka in strengthening its financial system, which has confronted vital challenges lately.

Maritime safety and strategic issues

Maritime safety cooperation is predicted to function prominently throughout the discussions, as India continues to strengthen its protection ties with Sri Lanka amid issues over China’s rising presence within the Indian Ocean.

The docking of Chinese language army vessels, together with a missile and satellite tv for pc monitoring ship at Hambantota port in 2022 and a warship at Colombo port in 2023, has raised tensions within the area.

India has responded by supporting Sri Lanka’s protection forces with capacity-building initiatives, together with the supply of indigenously constructed Offshore Patrol Vessels.