Visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to India

The Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka was on an official visit to India from 15-17 December 2024. 

During his first visit to India, he met Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Dr S.Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval.

During his India visit, he visited New Delhi and the World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar.

Since being elected as the President of Sri Lanka in September 2024,  Anura Kumara Dissanayaka chose India for his foreign visit. 

India -China Competition in Sri Lanka 

India and China have vied for influence in the strategically important Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, a maritime neighbour of India, lies along the strategically important shipping routes in the Indian Ocean.

During the Mahinda Rajapakse regime, the Sri Lankan government shifted towards China. China invested billions in Sri Lanka to build infrastructure projects, including the Hambantota International Port. The port was given to China by Sri Lanka for a 99-year lease as it defaulted on loan repayment to China.

India thinks that China is using this port to spy on the Indian Naval assets and is a security threat.

After a severe economic crisis in Sri Lanka, the  Rajapakse regime was overthrown in a popular uprising. India helped Sri Lanka by providing a $ 4 billion package to buy essential foods and medicine. 

It was Indian help which helped Sri Lanka avoid default on its external debt and stabilise its economy.

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka belongs to a communist political party, and there was a fear in India that he would favour China over India. However, by choosing India as his first overseas trip, he has signalled that Sri Lanka will maintain good ties with India.

He also said, "Sri Lanka will not let its  land be used in any way that is detrimental to the interest of India.” 

Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with visiting Sri Lankan President  Anura Kumara Dissanayake, a joint statement was issued titled “ Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future:

Some of the important points of the Joint Statement are as follows;

• Both leaders affirmed their commitment to a mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership.
• India will train 1,500 Sri Lankan civil servants over five years.
• Start of new passenger ferry service between Rameshwaram (India) and Talaimannar(Sri Lanka). At present, there is a passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam (India)and Kankesanthurai (Sri Lanka).
• Redevelopment of Kankesanthurai port in Sri Lanka with grant assistance from the Government of India.

Energy Cooperation 

• Establishment of high-capacity power grid interconnection between the two countries.
• Supply of LNG(liquified natural gas) from India to Sri Lanka.
• India, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka will jointly build a multiproduct pipeline from India to Sri Lanka to provide safe and reliable energy to Sri Lanka.  
• India will support the Sampur, Sri Lanka solar power project, which is being built with Indian assistance.
• Joint development of Offshore wind power in Palk Straits (Palk Strait is a narrow sea channel that separates India from Sri Lanka).
• Development of Trincomalee Tank Farms in Sri Lanka as a regional energy and industrial hub.

Joint Working Group

• Joint Working Group is to be set up for implementation of a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) stack in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance.
• Joint Working Group will be set up for Agriculture.

Defence 

• India will train Sri Lankan defence forces.
• India will provide defence equipment to Sri Lanka.
• both countries to conduct  joint military exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges;
• India will help Sri Lanka develop disaster mitigation, relief, and rehabilitation capabilities.
• Cooperation in hydrography;

Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)

Both countries also signed an agreement on the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to boost investment in each other's countries.

Also Read: Anura Kumara Dissanayaka sworn in as Sri Lankan President

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