December 16, 2024
President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, held comprehensive discussions during the latter’s State Visit to New Delhi. The talks reaffirmed the deep-rooted cultural, geographical, and people-to-people ties that form the foundation of the bilateral partnership.
Reaffirming Partnership and Support
President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s steadfast support during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022. He acknowledged India’s pivotal role in stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy and highlighted the importance of India’s continued assistance. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, aligning with its ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and SAGAR vision.
Strengthening Political Engagement
The leaders agreed to intensify political exchanges at the leadership and ministerial levels. Regular parliamentary interactions were emphasized as a means to foster democratic values and share institutional best practices.
Advancing Development Cooperation
India’s development assistance to Sri Lanka was acknowledged as a key driver of socio-economic growth. The leaders emphasized the importance of completing ongoing projects, such as the Indian Housing Project, Hybrid Renewable Energy Projects, and community development initiatives. Support for Tamil communities, the Eastern Province, and solar electrification of religious sites was also highlighted. They agreed to identify new collaborative projects that align with Sri Lanka’s developmental priorities.
President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake; President of India Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
Building Capacity and Skills
Recognizing the importance of capacity building, India pledged to provide training for 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants over the next five years. Both sides agreed to explore additional training programs for Sri Lankan officials in the defense, legal, and civil sectors.
Debt Restructuring and Economic Stability
President Dissanayake appreciated India’s critical role in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process. India’s co- chairmanship of the Official Creditors’ Committee and financial assistance have been instrumental in reducing Sri Lanka’s debt burden. Both leaders agreed to shift focus from debt-driven models to investment-led partnerships for sustainable development.
Boosting Connectivity
The leaders welcomed the resumption of passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai and committed to reviving the Rameshwaram- Talaimannar route. Plans to rehabilitate Kankesanthurai Port with India’s support were also discussed, aiming to enhance bilateral trade and connectivity.
Expanding Energy Cooperation
Energy security emerged as a shared priority. Both sides agreed to accelerate renewable energy projects, including the Sampur solar project, LNG supply, and offshore wind power development. Collaborative efforts on developing Trincomalee as a regional energy hub were also emphasized.
Promoting Digital Transformation
Sri Lanka expressed interest in adopting India’s successful digitization initiatives. Both nations agreed to:
- Expedite the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project.
- Establish digital public infrastructure.
- Promote UPI-based digital transactions.
- Exchange expertise on platforms like Aadhaar and DigiLocker.
Advancing Education and Technology
The leaders discussed expanding collaboration in research and development across agriculture, health, and the digital economy. Partnerships between Start-up India and Sri Lanka’s ICT Agency (ICTA) were proposed to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Strengthening Trade and Investment
Both sides recognized the potential to enhance bilateral trade and investment. Discussions on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement, trade settlements in INR and LKR, and export-oriented investments were prioritized. The leaders also committed to finalizing a bilateral Social Security Agreement.
Modernizing Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Collaborations in agriculture were discussed to promote self-sufficiency and nutritional security in Sri Lanka. A Joint Working Group will explore opportunities for comprehensive agricultural development, including modernization and sustainability.
Enhancing Strategic and Defense Cooperation
Acknowledging shared maritime security interests, the leaders agreed to strengthen defense and maritime collaboration. India pledged support for Sri Lanka’s maritime surveillance, disaster response, and counter-narcotics efforts. Plans for joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building programs were also discussed.
Promoting Culture and Tourism
Both leaders committed to enhancing cultural and tourism exchanges. Initiatives included increasing air connectivity, promoting religious tourism, and attracting Indian investments in Sri Lanka’s tourism infrastructure. Academic linkages were also identified as a means to deepen cultural ties.
Addressing Fisheries Issues
The leaders emphasized the need for humanitarian solutions to address the livelihood concerns of fishermen. They welcomed recent progress in fisheries- related discussions and expressed confidence in achieving long-term solutions through dialogue and cooperation.
Regional and Multilateral Cooperation
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional security and development. They agreed to strengthen cooperation through frameworks like the Colombo Security Conclave, BIMSTEC, and IORA. India also pledged support for Sri Lanka’s BRICS membership application and appreciated Sri Lanka’s backing of India’s candidature for a UN Security Council seat.
Looking Ahead
The leaders emphasized the importance of timely implementation of agreed measures to deepen bilateral ties and transform the partnership into a global model for neighborly relations. President Dissanayake extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Sri Lanka, signaling continued high-level engagement to further enhance cooperation.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in discussion with Indian and Sri Lankan delegates.
