Jaishankar visits Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral ties amid changing geopolitical landscape

New Delhi, Oct 4: External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar visited Colombo today to further bolster ties between India and Sri Lanka.

During his visit, Dr Jaishankar called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and held discussions with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. The EAM also met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.

In a message on X EAM said, “Honored to call on President @anuradisanayake today in Colombo. Conveyed warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and PM @narendramodi. Appreciate hiswarm sentiments and guidance for the India Sri Lanka relations. Discussed ways to deepen ongoing cooperation and strengthen India-Sri Lanka ties for the benefit of people of two countries and the region.”

In his meeting with Foreign Minister Herath, Dr Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing bilateral cooperation under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. He assured that India’s ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka would continue, focusing on priority projects. Among these, India has offered a grant of USD 61.5 million to modernise the Kankesanthurai port and proposed converting payments for seven completed Line of Credit projects, totaling USD 20 million, into a grant. Additionally, India will gift 22 diesel locomotives to Sri Lanka’s railway sector.

During his discussion with President Dissanayake, Dr Jaishankar highlighted various ongoing initiatives, including energy production and transmission, LNG and fuel supply, solar electrification of religious sites, and efforts in healthcare and dairy development. He emphasized that these initiatives will contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic sustainability and open new revenue streams. President Dissanayake acknowledged India’s critical economic support, especially in line with his vision of a prosperous Sri Lanka.

The President also expressed interest in exporting renewable energy to India to lower production costs in Sri Lanka, while noting the growing potential of Indian tourism, which has become a key driver of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

EAM Jaishankar’s discussions with Sri Lankan leaders also covered the facilitation of Indian investments and the expansion of job creation in Sri Lanka, as well as enhancing the flow of Indian tourists.

In his meeting with Prime Minister Amarasuriya, Jaishankar showed India’s readiness to support Sri Lanka’s training and capacity-building needs. Their talks also explored the potential benefits of digital public infrastructure for Sri Lanka’s economy.

On the issue of Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring, Dr Jaishankar reminded Sri Lankan leaders that India had been the first country to provide financing assurances, which enabled the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve its Extended Fund Facility for Sri Lanka.

He reiterated India’s support within the Official Creditors’ Committee in helping Sri Lanka manage its debt, and expressed willingness to expedite a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further this cooperation. President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude for India’s critical role in these efforts.

Security and defence cooperation were also key topics of discussion, with both sides recognising the intertwined security interests of India and Sri Lanka. The EAM emphasized the need for continued dialogue to enhance trust and transparency, while President Dissanayake reassured that Sri Lankan territory would not be used in any manner that would threaten India’s security.

Dr Jaishankar also raised concerns over the detention of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities and called for their early release, as well as the release of their boats. He urged Sri Lanka to reconsider the heavy fines imposed on them, emphasizing a humanitarian approach that would help address livelihood concerns. He appreciated the release of 50 Indian fishermen during his visit and proposed the timely convening of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries.

Regarding the ethnic reconciliation process, EAM Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil population. He stressed the importance of equality, justice, dignity, and peace within the framework of Sri Lanka’s unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.

The EAM also called for the full and effective implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution, along with the early holding of Provincial Council elections, to advance these goals.

Dr Jaishankar extended an official invitation on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Dissanayake to visit India at a mutually convenient date, further strengthening the diplomatic ties between the two neighbors.

This visit comes at a significant time for Sri Lanka, which has recently elected a new government after a period of severe economic hardship and political turmoil. The country faced a crippling economic crisis in 2022, leading to widespread protests, shortages of essentials, and the eventual resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The economic collapse was partly blamed on the accumulation of heavy debt, particularly from Chinese loans for large infrastructure projects. During this period, India played a vital role in supporting Sri Lanka by providing financial aid and humanitarian assistance.

Sri Lanka’s strategic importance in the Indian Ocean, combined with its proximity to India and China’s growing presence through its Belt and Road Initiative, adds a layer of geopolitical complexity to the bilateral relationship. China’s investments in Sri Lanka, including the docking of suspected spy ships at Sri Lankan ports, have raised concerns in New Delhi about the region’s security