India, Sri Lanka sign major defence pact
Modi was also honoured with Sri Lanka's highest civilian award, Mithra Vibhushana, for his exceptional efforts in bolstering the ties between the two nations and highlighting the spiritual and cultural heritage of both countries.
New Delhi and Colombo will move strategically closer in terms of joint maritime surveillance, military exercises, and equipment support with the defence agreement.
The other MoUs focus on implementing India's UPI payment system in Sri Lanka, enhancing renewable energy trade through a proposed grid connectivity project, and ferry and aviation services to improve people-to-people ties.
The Modi and the Lankan President virtually inaugurated the construction of the Sampur solar power project. They also inaugurated the recently completed temperature-controlled warehousing facility at Dambulla, which is possibly the first facility of its kind in the island, and a project for supply of solar rooftop systems to nearly 5,000 religious institutions across Sri Lanka.
Live Events
Lauding the «resilience» of the Sri Lankan people, Modi, with President Aruna Kumar Dissanayake by his side, said, «I am proud that Sri Lanka is on the path back to recovery...We have always stood by Sri Lanka — be it during Covid, or the terror attacks or the recent economic crisis.»
Modi said that he had also raised India's concerns and declared that Sri Lanka has agreed to the immediate release of Indian fishermen held for straying into Lankan waters and the prompt return of their boats.
Modi has said that India has converted loans worth more than USD 100 million into grants in the last six months and decided to reduce interest rates on existing credit, marking a shift towards providing more immediate and concessional