NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressed a joint press conference during the latter’s first foreign State visit since assuming office, outlining a shared vision for strengthening ties with an emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan leader, PM Modi expressed delight that Dissanayake “chose India” for his first foreign State visit. Then he talked the economic relations between the two countries.
“In our economic cooperation, we have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity. We have decided that physical, digital, and energy connectivity will be important pillars of our partnership. Work will be done for establishing electricity grid connectivity and a multi-product petroleum pipeline. Pace will be given to the Sampur Solar Power Plant. LNG will be supplied for Sri Lankan power plants. To boost bilateral trade, both sides will try to conclude the Ekta agreement soon,” he said.
Then further talking about strengthening the nations’ ties the Prime Minister said, “With today’s visit, new speed and energy are being generated in our relations. We have adopted a futuristic vision for our partnership, with physical, digital, and energy connectivity as key pillars.”
PM Modi further announced India’s plans to assist Sri Lanka with electricity grid connectivity and a multi-product petroleum pipeline, in addition to an ongoing $5 billion line of credit and grant assistance. “Grant assistance will be given for rehabilitating the Maho-Anuradhapura railway section and Kankesanthurai Port. From next year, 200 students from the Jaffna and Eastern provinces will receive monthly scholarships, and 1,500 civil servants will be trained in India over the next five years,” he added.
Meanwhile, in his statement, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for India’s hospitality, saying, “I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu for the warm welcome. This visit has paved the way for further cooperation between our countries.” He also reassured India of Sri Lanka’s commitment to safeguarding Indian interests, stating, “We will not allow our land to be used in any way that is detrimental to India.”
The contentious matter of fishermen was also addressed during the discussions. “We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we must proceed with a humanitarian approach to this matter,” PM Modi said.
Dissanayake talked about the issue and said, “We also want to find a durable and sustainable solution to the fishermen’s issue that has become a plague for both our countries. There are bottom trawling systems being adopted by the fishermen in that area and that needs to be put an end to because that will spell doom to this industry.”
The visit also saw the exchange of several MoUs, marking progress in housing, renewable energy, agriculture, and digital identity initiatives. Both leaders highlighted the importance of the visit in fostering deeper ties and mutual development.
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