Modi Reaffirms India's Commitment to Supporting Sri Lanka as a Trusted Partner

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka during a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in New Delhi today.

The two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral cooperation, with a strong emphasis on enhancing defense ties, economic collaboration, and regional security.

In a joint media briefing following their discussions, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in President Dissanayake's leadership, commending his efforts to strengthen the ties between the two nations. "India has full confidence in his leadership, and we will continue to be a steadfast and reliable partner for Sri Lanka," Modi stated.

President Dissanayake, in turn, assured Modi that Sri Lanka would not allow any activities on its soil that could undermine India's security. "Sri Lanka will always prioritize regional stability," he said, emphasizing the importance of a strong partnership between the two countries.

The leaders highlighted several key areas of collaboration, including defense, maritime security, and economic development. Prime Minister Modi mentioned the ongoing cooperation in agriculture, dairy production, and fisheries, and the introduction of an innovative digital mapping system for Sri Lanka. Additionally, both nations are working swiftly to finalize the activities under the Agreement on Defence Cooperation, focusing on maritime surveillance and regional security.

President Dissanayake also appreciated India's role in promoting sustainable fisheries practices and expressed his hope for continued collaboration on these issues. He requested India's assistance in convening bilateral technical discussions on Sri Lanka's submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

The discussions also covered enhancing people-to-people connections through initiatives like expanded tourism, with an emphasis on Buddhist heritage sites and the Ramayana trail. Additionally, Modi and Dissanayake discussed constitutional reforms in Sri Lanka, with Modi reaffirming India's support for the country's reconciliation process and efforts to address the aspirations of the Tamil people in the North and East.

Prime Minister Modi also expressed India's support for Sri Lanka’s aspirations within multilateral organizations, including the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the BRICS group, and encouraged continued collaboration on global issues.

The bilateral talks concluded with the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at preventing double taxation and strengthening capacity-building for Sri Lankan government officials.

Both leaders agreed to further deepen their cooperation and continue building on the shared cultural and civilizational bonds between the two nations.

President Dissanayake invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time.