Thanking India for its "immense support" during the unprecedented economic crisis, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake also assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday that he would not allow the island nation to be used in any way which is detrimental to the interest of India.
"I have 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 to India," Dissanayake said after holding discussions with PM Modi at New Delhi's Hyderabad House.
Dissanayake, who arrived in India on Sunday evening on what is his first official foreign visit since assuming office, thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi for support and warm hospitality, saying that the current visit has opened up further scope for cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
"We were under one of the most severe economic crises two years back, and India hugely supported us to emerge from that quagmire. It has supported us hugely after that also, more so in the structuring process of debt free also. I am also sure Sri Lanka holds a very very big place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi ensured us of full support, he also assured us he'll always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka," said the visiting President.
PM Modi said he has assured the Lankan President that India will remain a trusted and reliable partner in Sri Lanka's various development efforts.
"We fully agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalize the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organized crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The people-to-people relations between India and Sri Lanka are linked to our civilisations," stated PM Modi during the joint press conference.
While indicating the "durable and sustainable" solution needed on the issue of fishermen's livelihood, Mr. Dissanayake said that it has been a "plague" both to Sri Lanka and India, a problem which he said requires an "humane approach".
Regarding the issue, PM Modi said that both sides have a very detailed discussion on the same.
"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," he said.
The Lankan President hailed India's "tremendous success" in digitizing the public services and said Sri Lanka is also treading on the same path as PM Modi has assured him of support for the exercise.
Dissanayake is also scheduled to meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and participate in a business forum aimed at strengthening investment and trade ties between the two countries before traveling to Bodh Gaya.
The visiting delegation also includes Vijitha Herath - Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs, Overseas Employment, and Tourism Minister - and the country's Minister of Labour and Deputy Economic Development Minister Anil Jayanta Fernando.
Soon after his arrival on Sunday, the Lankan President had met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
"Extensive discussions were held between President Dissanayake and Minister Sitharaman on enhancing Indo-Sri Lankan economic cooperation and expanding investment opportunities between the two countries. The talks also covered bringing more Indian tourists to Sri Lanka, modernizing Sri Lanka's agriculture sector, and developing digital infrastructure," said the Lankan President's office in a statement on Monday.
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