New Delhi: In his first ever foreign visit, Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake assured that Colombo would not allow Indian security interests to be compromised even as Sri Lanka’s one-year moratorium on granting permission for foreign research vessels comes to an end next month.
Dissanayake visited Delhi as a rising politician in February amid growing voter discontent following the economic crisis, which had caused widespread disillusionment with the dominant political leadership.
Ten months later, he returns to Delhi as the president of Sri Lanka, receiving a guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan and holding formal talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, December 16.
At the joint media appearance following the formal discussions, Dissanayake said, “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 interests of India.”
The categorical assurance comes against the backdrop of India’s long-standing concerns over China’s expanding military presence in the Indian Ocean.
In 2022 and 2023, Chinese research vessels made frequent visits to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, expanding their presence around India’s periphery. Prior to that, India had expressed concerns about a Chinese nuclear submarine docking at a Sri Lankan port during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s presidency.
After protests from India and the US, then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced a one-year moratorium on granting permission to foreign research vessels, which will end in January 2025.
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When asked whether India raised the issue of the moratorium, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said, “Our understanding is that the Sri Lankan government is looking at this issue.”
“There are a number of considerations that they need to take into account. We did highlight, from our perspective, the role that India could play in a number of activities related to maritime security, maritime research etc,” he added.
Noting that both leaders discussed each other’s security concerns, Misri remarked, “As I mentioned earlier, we highlighted the importance and sensitivity of our security interests in this area.” He added that Dissanayake was “very upfront in saying that he would ensure nothing is done using Sri Lankan territory that could impact India’s security.”
This assurance was also enshrined in the joint statement.
Recognising shared security interests of India and Sri Lanka, both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency, and giving primacy to each other’s security concerns. As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean region. India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.
Incidentally, Sri Lankan media had reported that China is likely to be Dissanayake’s second foreign destination with a trip planned in January.
Earlier, Modi had stated that he and Dissanayake were in “full agreement that our security interests are interconnected.” He further mentioned that they had agreed to cooperate on hydrography and decided to “quickly finalise the Security Cooperation Agreement.”
Modi also highlighted the Colombo Security Conclave, comprising the littoral states of the Indian Ocean in South Asia, as an important platform for cooperation in “maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, combating smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.” However, the conclave’s future in current shape may be uncertain as Bangladesh joined as the fifth member just before the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August.
Modi also raised the issue of devolving powers under the 13th Amendment to the provincial councils, a key concern for Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority in the northern and eastern parts of the island.
“We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Dissanayake apprised me of his inclusive perspective. We hope that the Sri Lankan government shall fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil people. And that they shall fulfil their commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka and conducting the provincial council elections,” said Modi.
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In his public statement, Dissanayake referred to the united mandate he received in the presidential and parliamentary elections, which placed a responsibility on him to ensure the inclusive development of all communities.
“The message expressed by the people of Sri Lanka paved the way for a new culture to emerge. The people in the north, south, west and east have all placed their faith in us. People from all parts of the country, from all communities, creeds and religions have voted for us. Diversity is a cornerstone of democracy,” he said in Sinhala.
Dissanayake emphasised that the “development taking place in the country must be inclusive, with the participation of people from all communities.”
Referring to the discussions, India’s top diplomat said the Sri Lankan leader acknowledged the expectations placed on him to “respond to the aspirations of people in the northern and eastern parts of the country, from where he has also received support.”
“We welcome the fact that he has addressed issues related to provincial councils, provincial council elections and so on,” added Misri.
Dissanayake also raised Colombo’s concern about the ongoing poaching of Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, which has affected the livelihoods of fishermen in the Northern Province. Describing the issue as a “plague” for both countries, he emphasised the need for a “durable and sustainable solution.”
“There are bottom trawling systems being used by fishermen in that area, and that needs to be stopped because it harms the industry. We requested the honourable prime minister to take steps to end practices that are detrimental to the industry and the people,” said the Sri Lankan president.
According to government figures, the number of Indian fishermen detained by Sri Lankan authorities has more than doubled in 2024, reaching 535, compared to 240 the previous year. Modi said that the matter was discussed “at length,” with both agreeing that “we must adopt a humanitarian approach towards this matter.”
Misri also clarified that Adani Group’s projects in Sri Lanka, especially its development of Colombo Poet West International terminal and wind farm project, did not figure in the talks. The new Sri Lankan government had announced a review of the projects in November.
Earlier this month, the Adani Group had announced that it had withdrawn its request for funding of over $500 million from US International Development Finance Corporation for the Colombo port project. It came after media reports stated that DFC was reviewing its funding following the charges filed against the Adani Group’s chairman, Gautam Adani, and others for securities fraud related to a solar energy project in India.
India and Sri Lanka announced discussions on several projects, including the supply of liquefied natural gas, the establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection and a multi-product pipeline with the UAE for affordable and reliable energy. They also plan joint development of offshore wind power in the Palk Straits, with an emphasis on environmental protection, including wildlife preservation.
Overall, two agreements were signed for amending the avoidance of double taxation treaty and training of civil servants.
With Sri Lanka emerging from a foreign debt crisis, no new lines of credit were announced during the visit. However, India extended two grant assistance for renovating the signalling system of Maho to Anuradhapura railway line and developing the Kankesanthurai port. A second ferry service from Rameshwaram to Talaimannar was also agreed after the operationalisation of the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service.
President Drapaudi Murmu also hosted an official banquet in Dissanayake’s honour. He would be travelling to Bodh Gaya on Tuesday, December 17, before returning to Sri Lanka the following day.