1 week Ago By Moneycontrol
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday assured PM Modi that the island nation will not allow low its territory to be used in manner inimical to India's security interests. Dissanayake's remarks comes amid concerns over increasing Chinese influence and investment in Sri Lanka. Additionally, both the nations signed their first-ever comprehensive defence cooperation pact.
It was formalized following wide-ranging bilateral talks between PM Modi and President Dissanayake in Colombo. “We believe that our security interests are aligned. The security of both countries is interlinked and dependent on each other,” PM Modi said after signing the pact.
He also expressed gratitude to President Dissanayake for being "sensitive to India's interests" and welcomed the defence cooperation agreement as a milestone in bilateral ties. The pact comes nearly four decades after the Indian Peace Keeping Force was deployed in Sri Lanka, highlighting a new era in defence engagement between the two neighbours. President Dissanayake also expressed appreciation for India’s consistent support during Sri Lanka’s times of need, saying the solidarity extended by New Delhi was deeply valued.
Beyond defence, energy cooperation emerged as another major topic of discussion. Both nations signed an agreement to develop Trincomalee as a regional energy hub, reinforcing the city’s strategic importance. Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake also virtually inaugurated the Sampur Solar Power Project, aimed at enhancing Sri Lanka’s energy security.
“The Sampur Solar Power Plant will benefit all Sri Lankans. The agreements signed for a multi-product pipeline and the development of Trincomalee will strengthen our energy partnership,” said Modi..
