India firms up Lanka ties with energy, defence pacts; eases loan repayment

India firmed up its ties with Sri Lanka as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a visit to the island nation, announced a slew of initiatives for the neighbouring country today.

This is the PM’s fourth visit to the country and his first since the 2019 Easter attacks rocked the island nation.

After a meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today, both leaders saw the exchange of seven MoUs in the fields of energy, digitisation, defence, health and multi-sectoral assistance of 2.4 billion Sri Lankan rupees in the country’s eastern province.

On the occasion, the PM announced support for the development of the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee. The temple is known as the “Kailash of the south”.

Highest civilian honour for Modi

PM Narendra Modi was conferred Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour, Mithra Vibhushana, for his efforts to strengthen ties. This is the 22nd award by any nation for Modi.

“It is a matter of immense pride for me to be conferred Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana by President Dissanayake…”, PM said.

India will also help in the development of the Sita Eliya temple complex in Nuwara Eliya. According to the legend, Sita (Lord Rama’s wife) was abducted by Ravana and brought to this location. This temple is believed to be the only Sita temple in the world.

The PM also announced a package for training an additional 700 Sri Lankan citizens annually in the areas of capacity building and economic support and the conclusion of bilateral amendatory agreements on debt restructuring. The PM also announced a reduction in the rate of interest on loans for Sri Lanka.

He also announced India’s assistance to Sri Lanka for its Digital National ID Card system and aid for the modernisation of the island nation’s Kankesanthurai Port.

The PM announced that the holy relics of Lord Buddha from Gujarat would be taken to Sri Lanka for the International Day of Vesak celebrations.

Both leaders also reviewed cooperation in the fields of connectivity, development cooperation, economic ties, defence relations, reconciliation and fishermen issues.

At a joint briefing with Dissanayake, the PM quoted Tamilian poet Thiruvalluvar as saying that the two nations share “spiritual ties”.

The PM also mentioned Tamil aspirations and fishermen issues with his Sri Lankan counterpart. “We hope Tamil aspirations will be taken care of and constitutional provisions implemented.” On the fishermen issue, the PM told the Sri Lankan President, “Adopt a humanitarian approach.”

In response to the PM’s remarks, Dissanayake thanked India for debt restructuring support and help during the economic crisis.

He said, “Buddhism is the most precious gift we received from India”. He mentioned his concerns about bottom trawling used by Indian fishermen with the PM and also urged him to extend its maritime jurisdiction beyond the standard 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Following the talks, the two leaders virtually inaugurated several projects, including 5,000 solar rooftop units installed at religious places across Sri Lanka, a temperature-controlled warehousing facility at Dambulla and the launch of the 120 MW Sampur Solar power project.

Meanwhile, India, the UAE and Sri Lanka have signed a trilateral MoU on the development of Trincomalee. The UAE has emerged as a key partner of India in West Asia.

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