India, Sri Lanka should work together keeping each other’s security interests and sensitivities in mind: PM Modi

Pointing out that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that it is necessary to work together keeping in mind each other's security interests and sensitivities.

“A stable, peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka is not just in India’s interests, but is also in the interests of the entire Indian Ocean Region,” he added while speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Friday (July 21, 2023).

The joint press conference followed delegation-level talks between the two leaders, covering areas like energy security, economic and financial linkages, and defence & security cooperation.

In his comments, PM Modi said discussions with President Wickremesinghe also covered Sri Lanka’s long-term commitment to India. Talks on an economic and technological cooperation agreement between India and Sri Lanka will begin soon, he added.

The past one year has been full of challenges for the people of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Modi said, adding that being a close friend, India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka.

According to Prime Minister Modi, they agreed to strengthen maritime, air, energy, and people-to-people connectivity and to speed up mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education, and skill development.

“We have decided that talks on an economic and technological cooperation agreement will begin soon. This will open up new possibilities in trade and finance for both nations,” he said.

“Fintech connectivity will also increase with today’s agreement to launch the United Payments Interface (UPI) in Sri Lanka,” he said.

The decisions taken during the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Wickremesinghe include:

1. Work will be expedited on connecting the electricity grids of both the countries.

2. A feasibility study will be conducted for a pipeline between India and Sri Lanka.

3. The two sides have also decided to carry out feasibility studies of a new bridge.

4. The two sides agreed on increasing air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka.

5. It has been decided to launch passenger ferry service between Nagappattanam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka.

The discussions also touched on issues related to the livelihoods of fishermen. “We have agreed that we should move forward with a humanitarian approach,” Prime Minister Modi said.

According to him, the talks covered reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. “President Wickremesinghe informed me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan government will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils and take forward the process of reconstruction to ensure equality, justice, and peace,” he noted. India also expects that Sri Lanka will fulfil its responsibility to Implement the 13th Amendment and hold Provincial Council elections, Prime Minister Modi added.