Our Special Correspondent
An agreement was reached in talks held in Colombo on Wednesday between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to jointly prioritize India-Sri Lanka regional security.
With the distinction of being the first Indian Defence Minister to visit Sri Lanka in the past 38 years, Rajnath Singh spent the second day of his visit in Colombo on Wednesday. On this occasion, he met and held discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Suriy, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, and the commanders of the three armed forces at different venues.
When he met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Rajnath Singh conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings on the successful completion of two years by the Sri Lankan government. Later, during talks between the two leaders, the two countries, which stand as civilizational twins and maritime partners, mutually emphasized the need to work together, prioritizing the advancement of their citizens and the security, peace, and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.
President Dissanayake, speaking, assured that "we will never allow Sri Lankan soil to be used against India’s security interests." He thanked India for the relief assistance and reconstruction aid package provided through "Operation Sagar Bandhu" during Cyclone Ditwah. In response, Rajnath Singh assured that "whenever Sri Lanka faces a crisis, India will always stand by it to help the country recover from it."
As part of this dialogue, Rajnath Singh inaugurated, via video conference along with the President of Sri Lanka, three "Bailey" bridges (prefabricated bridges) set up in Sri Lanka by the Indian security forces.
Following this, when Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, he spoke about mutual development, cooperation, education, and cultural ties between the two countries. Later, Rajnath Singh met Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Earlier, Rajnath Singh, who visited the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence, spoke there with the country’s top military officials. Later, Rajnath Singh visited the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) memorial and paid floral tributes to the 1,155 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 1987 peacekeeping mission in Sri Lanka.
On Wednesday evening, Rajnath Singh visited the historic Gangaramaya Buddhist temple in Colombo and offered prayers. Later, Rajnath Singh took part in a reception event organized aboard the Indian warship "Udaygiri," which had arrived at Colombo port, and addressed the soldiers of both countries.
3 Memorandums of Understanding
Three major agreements to strengthen defense, military training, and the education sector between the two countries were signed on Wednesday in the presence of Sri Lankan President and Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Details:
Defense cooperation: The "L-70" anti-aircraft guns previously provided by India to the Sri Lankan Air Force will be modernized and upgraded with Indian financial assistance.
Military training: Educational, research, and strategic information sharing between the "National Defense Colleges" of India and Sri Lanka will be enhanced.
NCC exchange program: This agreement has been entered into to formalize joint cooperation between the National Cadet Corps (NCC) of the two countries. Through this, students from both countries will get the opportunity to participate together every year in camps and cultural exchange events held in New Delhi.
"A peaceful solution to the fishermen's issue"
Considering the India-Sri Lanka fishermen issue as a humanitarian and livelihood issue, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized that both countries should resolve it amicably, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations.
"At a special event held in Colombo on Wednesday under the title 'Maritime Security and the MAHASAGAR Vision,' Rajnath Singh spoke on the topic 'India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation.'
He then said, "In the Indian Ocean region, the primary priorities are respecting international laws, ensuring unhindered maritime trade, and guaranteeing the free movement of ships. To prevent illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and terrorism, a real-time information-sharing framework between the naval and coast guard forces of the two countries is essential. To respond swiftly during disasters, the two countries should jointly establish a 'joint maritime humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanism'."
