- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 16 Dec 2024 05:37 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday promised that his country’s land would not be “used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India". The remarks came during the joint press statement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. President Dissanayake is on a three-day state visit to India. This is the first bilateral visit of the Sri Lankan President to India after assuming office in September.
“The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India," the President of the island nation further said.
He further expressed his happiness of being able to travel to Delhi.
“I want to thank India for the invitation extended to me and also for the warm hospitality that was extended to the whole delegation, including myself. I want to thank PM Modi and President Murmu… This visit paved the way for the cooperation between the two countries to be developed further,” Dissanayake said, as quoted by news agency ANI.
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India Supported Us: President Dissanayake
Dissanayake also thanked India for supporting Sri Lanka during its economic crisis.
“We faced an unprecedented economic crisis some two years ago and India supported us immensely to come out of that quagmire. It has also helped us immensely after that, especially in the debt-free structuring process,” he said.
“I know that Sri Lanka secures a very significant place in the foreign policy of India. PM Modi assured us full support and he also assured us that he will always protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka,” the President further said.
Meanwhile, PM Modi informed that India has, so far, provided USD 5 billion in line of credit and grant assistance to Sri Lanka.
India-Sri Lanka Relations
Welcoming President Dissanayake to India, PM Modi said, “We are delighted that as the President, you chose India for your first foreign State Visit. With today’s Yatra, new speed and energy is being generated in our relations.”
“For our partnership we have adopted a futuristic vision. In our economic cooperation, we have laid emphasis on investment-led growth and connectivity. We have decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be important pillars of our partnership. Work will be done for electricity grid connectivity and multi petroleum pipeline,” the Prime Minister said.
India To Give Monthly Scholarships To 200 Students In Sri Lanka
At the joint press statement, PM Modi announced that under education cooperation, from 2025, monthly scholarships will be given to 200 students in the universities of Jaffna and Eastern Province.
India-Sri Lanka Defence Cooperation Agreement Soon
During the meet, PM Modi informed that soon India and Sri Lanka will finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement.
“We completely agree that our security interests are interlinked. We have decided to finalise the Defence Cooperation Agreement soon. Cooperation on hydrography has also been agreed upon. We believe that the Colombo Security Conclave is an important platform for regional peace, security and development. Under this, cooperation will be enhanced on topics like maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, fight against smuggling and organised crime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” PM Modi said.