New Delhi, October 4: Minister for External Affairs (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar today visited Colombo to further strengthen ties between India and Sri Lanka.
During the visit, Jaishankar called on President Anura Kumar Dissanayake, met Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and held discussions with Foreign Minister Vijita Herat. EAM also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
A message on How to deepen ongoing cooperation and strengthen India-Sri Lanka relations for the benefit of both countries and the people of the region.”
In his meeting with External Affairs Minister Herat, Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation under the Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. He assured that India would continue to provide development assistance to Sri Lanka with focus on priority projects. Of this, India has provided a grant of US$61.5 million for the modernization of Kankesanthurai port and proposed to convert disbursements from seven completed credit line projects (totaling US$20 million) into grants. In addition, India will also donate 22 diesel locomotives to the Sri Lanka Railways.
In discussions with President Dissanayake, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted various ongoing initiatives, including efforts in energy production and transmission, LNG and fuel supply, solar electrification of religious sites, and healthcare and dairy development. He stressed that these initiatives will contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic sustainability and open up new sources of revenue. President Dissanayake acknowledged India’s significant economic support, particularly in line with his vision for a prosperous Sri Lanka.
The President also expressed interest in exporting renewable energy to India to reduce production costs in Sri Lanka, while pointing to the growing potential of Indian tourism as a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
EAM Jaishankar’s discussions with Sri Lankan leaders also touched on issues such as promoting Indian investments, expanding employment opportunities in Sri Lanka and increasing tourist flows from India.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Amarasuriya, Jaishankar expressed India’s readiness to support Sri Lanka’s training and capacity building needs. Their talks also explored the potential benefits of digital public infrastructure to the Sri Lankan economy.
On the issue of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, Jaishankar reminded Sri Lankan leaders that India was the first country to provide financing guarantees, which enabled the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve Sri Lanka’s deferred fund arrangement.
He reiterated India’s support within the Committee of Official Creditors to help Sri Lanka manage its debt and expressed readiness to expedite the signing of a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) to further such cooperation. President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to India for its key role in these efforts.
Security and defense cooperation were also key topics of discussion, with both sides recognizing that the security interests of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined. The EAM stressed the need for continued dialogue to enhance trust and transparency, while President Dissanayake assured that Sri Lankan territory would not be used in any way that threatens India’s security.
Dr Jaishankar also expressed concern over the detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities and called for their early release and release of their vessels. He urged Sri Lanka to reconsider the hefty fines imposed on them, stressing that a humanitarian approach would help address livelihood issues. He expressed appreciation for the release of 50 Indian fishermen during the visit and suggested the timely convening of a joint working group on fisheries.
On the national reconciliation process, Jaishankar reiterated India’s desire to support all communities in Sri Lanka, especially the Tamils. He stressed the importance of equality, justice, dignity and peace within the framework of Sri Lanka’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The EAM also called for the full and effective implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and the early holding of provincial assembly elections to advance these goals.
Dr. Jaishankar extended a formal invitation to President Dissanayake on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India on a mutually convenient date to further strengthen diplomatic ties between the two neighbours.
The visit comes at an important moment for Sri Lanka, which recently elected a new government after a period of severe economic difficulties and political turmoil. The country faced a severe economic crisis in 2022, leading to widespread protests, shortages of essential goods, and the eventual resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The economic collapse was caused in part by a heavy accumulation of debt, particularly Chinese loans for large infrastructure projects. During this period, India played a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka by providing financial assistance and humanitarian assistance.
Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in the Indian Ocean, coupled with its proximity to India and China’s growing influence through its Belt and Road Initiative, adds a layer of geopolitical complexity to the relationship. Chinese investments in Sri Lanka, including the docking of suspected spy ships at Sri Lankan ports, have raised concerns in New Delhi about security in the region
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