Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Held Talks With Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Sri Lanka on Saturday and Witnessed the Signing of Energy and Defense Deals Between the Two Countries.
The Deals are Seen as an Effort to Consolidate New Delhi’s Influence in the Neighboring Island Nation, which is Heavily Indeted to China.
A Five-Year Defense Cooperation Agreement Provides for the Training of Sri Lankan Military Personnel in India and the Exchange of Information and Technology.
Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean
Modi Welcomed Agreements on Defense Cooperation and Said Both Wood Collaborate on Security Cooperation In The Indian Ocean Through the Colombo Security Consclave, that including Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Mauritius.
“I am Grateful to President Dissanayake for his sensitivity Towards India’s Interests. We Believe that we have shared security interests. The Security of Both Countries is Interconnected and Co-Dependent,” Modi Said
The Sri Lankan Leader emphasized that he recognized the worries of his Neighbor.
“I have Reitermeded Our Position to Prime Minister Modi That Sri Lankan Territory Will not be allowed to be used by Anyone to Undermine India’s Security,” Dissanayake Said
The Two Leaders So Virtually Inaugurated the Construction of A 120-Megawatt Indian-Funded Solar Power Plant, which is Being As a Joint Venture Between the Two Countries.
Located in the Island’s Northeastern District of Trincomale, The Solar Plant Had Been Stalled forYears With assistance from brand-new delhi, it was restored.
Sri Lanka’s Balancing Act in between India and China
India is significantly worried regarding china’s impact in Sri Lanka, which it sates as dropping with its round of rate of interest.
China is sri lanka’s Largest solitary reciprocal financial institution, making up greater than $ 14 trillion reciprocal Debet When the Island defaults on its sovereign in 2022.
Sri Lanka’s Economic Collapse Changed the Country’s Priorities and Created to Opportunity for India, as New Delhi Stepped in with Massive Financial and Material Assistance.
At the very same time, China’s Assistance in Restructuring Its Infrastructure Loans is important for Sri Lanka.
Dissanayake’s First Overseas Visit was to New Delhi in December, yet he adhered to that up with a see to Beijing in January, Underscoring Sri Lanka’s fragile harmonizing act.
In January, Sri Lanka Announced It Had Signed to Agreement with a Chinese State- downed firm to Invest $ 3.7 Billion in an Oil Refinery in the South of the Island.
