India and Sri Lanka strengthen ties: Assurance on security and commitment to economic partnership
Sri Lanka has assured that it will not allow its territory to be used in a manner inimical to India's security interest, even as India said that it will be a steady partner in the economic recovery and development of the island nation.
In the first visit by a foreign dignitary after the National People's Power, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, came to power, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met the top Sri Lankan leadership and invited the President on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit India.
An official statement after the visit stated that the meetings highlighted that the interests of India and Sri Lanka were closely intertwined and collaboration was in mutual interest and contributed to the stability and security of the region. «The importance of a continuous dialogue that would promote trust, transparency and mutual sensitivity was recognised. The President reiterated that Sri Lankan territory would never be allowed to be used in a manner inimical to India's security interests,» it read.
India has in the past expressed its concerns over the use of Sri Lankan ports by Chinese warships and so-called research vessels that are sent to the Indian Ocean Region to spy on Indian deployments and missile tests.
In his discussions with foreign minister Vijitha Herath, Jaishankar conveyed India's strong commitment to advance bilateral cooperation based on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and assured that ongoing development assistance to Sri Lanka through projects of Sri Lankan priority will be
