NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Sri Lanka would not permit its territory to be “used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India,” on Monday.
Following discussions at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Dissanayake emphasised his commitment to strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan relations, saying, “the cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India.”
“I have also given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India,” he assured.
On his inaugural foreign visit since taking office in September, the Sri Lankan president expressed pleasure at choosing Delhi for his first state visit. The three-day tour marked a significant diplomatic engagement between the nations.
“After becoming the President of Sri Lanka, this is my first foreign visit. I am so happy that I was able to come to Delhi on my first State visit. I want to thank India for the invitation extended to me and also for the warm hospitality that was extended to the whole delegation, including myself,” he said.
Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s hospitality and the invitations from PM Modi and President Murmu. He highlighted how the visit strengthened bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
“I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu. This visit paved the way for the cooperation between the two countries to be developed further,” he added.
He acknowledged India’s crucial support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis, saying, “we faced an unprecedented economic crisis some 2 years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process.”
The Sri Lankan President highlighted India’s commitment to his country, noting PM Modi’s assurances regarding full support and protection of Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka,” he added.
This diplomatic meeting occurred at a crucial point as China is intensifying its presence in the Indian Ocean region, particularly targeting Indian interests.
China’s control over Hambantota Port, acquired through Sri Lanka’s debt default, has enabled Beijing to station vessels like the Yuan Wang 5, a 25,000-tonne satellite and missile tracking ship. This development concerns India due to Sri Lanka’s geographical proximity.
Despite India’s initial objections in August 2022, Sri Lanka eventually permitted Chinese vessels to dock for ‘replenishment’ at Hambantota.
Meanwhile, Chinese surveillance vessels keep on patrolling the Indian Ocean region and using the Hambantota port.
China secured a 99-year lease on Hambantota port after Sri Lanka struggled with loan repayments. The $1.7 billion project, with phase one completed in 2010, required annual payments of $100 million, which Colombo failed to meet.