In a significant development, Sri Lanka has assured India that it will not permit its territory to be used in any manner that could compromise the security of India. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka reiterated this commitment in a joint statement with India, making it an official promise to New Delhi.
This assurance comes at a time when China is actively pursuing its ‘Mission Indian Ocean,’ which is seen as a threat to India’s interests. China has taken over Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port after Colombo failed to repay a $1.7 billion loan, and has been docking its naval surveillance and spy ships at the port. The presence of Chinese ships in the region has raised concerns in New Delhi, given Sri Lanka’s proximity to India.
In August 2022, Sri Lanka had initially asked China to defer the arrival of its 25,000-tonne satellite and ballistic missile tracking ship Yuan Wang 5, but later allowed it to dock for ‘replenishment.’ Since then, Chinese surveillance and spy ships have regularly patrolled the Indian Ocean region and docked at Hambantota.
The Yuan Wang 5 is equipped with a robust tracking, sensing, and communication relay system, capable of detecting foreign satellites, aerial assets, and missile systems. China’s possession of the Hambantota port for a 99-year lease has raised concerns about the potential use of the port for military purposes.
Today’s agreement between India and Sri Lanka ensures that Sri Lankan territory, including its waters, will not be used in any manner that could compromise India’s security or regional stability. The two countries have also agreed to expand their bilateral partnership and aim to soon conclude a comprehensive defense cooperation pact.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka held a comprehensive dialogue in New Delhi, discussing the entire gamut of bilateral ties. The two leaders reaffirmed that the India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership is underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity, and people-to-people relations.
President Disanayaka conveyed his deep appreciation for India’s unwavering support to the people of Sri Lanka during and after the economic crisis in 2022. Both leaders acknowledged that bilateral ties had deepened over the years and contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s socio-economic development.
