Sri Lanka Commends India's Steadfast Assistance in Enhancing Maritime Strength
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence commended India's unwavering support during PM Modi's visit, emphasizing the importance of maritime security collaboration and the signing of key agreements in various sectors to strengthen bilateral ties.
Key Takeaways
- India's support boosts Sri Lanka's maritime capabilities.
- Strengthening security collaboration is essential for both nations.
- Significant agreements signed during Modi's visit.
- Railway modernization enhances connectivity in Sri Lanka.
- Joint projects highlight the strong India-Sri Lanka partnership.
Colombo, April 7 (NationPress) Sri Lanka's Ministry of Defence announced on Monday that the State Visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed the mutual vision of both nations for a thriving and secure Indian Ocean Region (IOR), further solidifying the deep historical, cultural, and strategic bonds between them.
"We sincerely value India's steadfast support in bolstering Sri Lanka's maritime capabilities, ensuring safer seas for our nations and beyond. As we confront the challenges of the 21st century, it is crucial to expand our defence and security cooperation, particularly in tackling emerging threats like maritime security issues, drug trafficking, transnational crimes, and climate change," stated Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara.
During his visit to the Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri at the Colombo port, Jayasekara highlighted that the Indian Ocean serves as a strategic lifeline for global trade, necessitating collaborative efforts to combat security threats.
He also expressed gratitude for India's ongoing support in infrastructure development, capacity building, and humanitarian initiatives that have been instrumental in the progress of the island nation.
The Deputy Minister was welcomed by the Commanding Officer of INS Sahyadri, Captain Rajat Kumar. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha was also present during the event.
Attendees included commanders from the Sri Lanka Army and Navy, diplomatic corps members, senior military officials, and Defence attaches from India, USA, Australia, Japan, Russia, and Bangladesh, among others, at the event held on the Indian naval ship.
India and Sri Lanka enjoy a robust defence relationship, founded on close military ties and shared security concerns and challenges. India's defence collaboration with Sri Lanka includes training, joint exercises, military equipment supply, high-level bilateral visits, and goodwill visits by Navy and Coast Guard vessels.
Several significant agreements were signed following discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Saturday, including those focused on defence cooperation and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub.
Additional MoUs signed covered the Implementation of HVDC Interconnection for Import/Export of Power; Cooperation in Sharing Successful Digital Solutions for Digital Transformation; Multi-sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province; Cooperation in Health and Medicine; and Pharmacopoeial Cooperation.
PM Modi also announced a comprehensive capacity-building programme in India for 700 Sri Lankans annually; India's grant assistance for the development of Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya, and the Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura; the Exposition of Lord Buddha relics in Sri Lanka on International Vesak Day 2025; and the conclusion of Bilateral Amendatory Agreements on Debt Restructuring.
The two leaders jointly e-inaugurated a High Impact Community Development Project in agriculture, which includes a first-of-its-kind 5000 MT temperature-controlled warehouse in Dambulla and the supply of 5000 solar rooftop units to religious sites across all 25 districts in Sri Lanka. They also participated in the virtual ground-breaking ceremony for the 120 MW Sampur Solar Project.
On Sunday, PM Modi and Dissanayake took part in a ceremony to launch two railway projects constructed with Indian support in Anuradhapura.
The leaders inaugurated the 128 km Maho-Omanthai railway line refurbished with Indian assistance of USD 91.27 million, followed by the launch of an advanced signalling system from Maho to Anuradhapura, being developed with Indian grant assistance of USD 14.89 million.
These landmark railway modernization projects, executed under the India-Sri Lanka development partnership, mark a significant achievement in enhancing north-south rail connectivity in Sri Lanka, facilitating swift and efficient transportation of both passengers and freight across the nation.
