Tag: India-Sri Lanka relations

Delhi-Colombo Bonding: New Frontiers

- by Manish Chand

New Beginnings, New Hopes and New Horizons.
These expressions may sound like rhetorical hyperboles to some, but summarise the essence of the current transformational moment in relations between India and Sri Lanka, which has acquired a new bounce and energy after the formation of the new government in Colombo in January this year.
All eyes in the region will be on the meeting between Mr Modi and Mr Sirisena as they unveil an ambitious roadmap for multi-pronged acceleration of bilateral ties across diverse areas, including trade and investment, development cooperation, defence cooperation and reconstruction of the island nation.
With the new government in Colombo upbeat about dovetailing the India story to that of the island’s unfolding resurgence, the sky is virtually the limit for India-Sri Lanka relations.
Expect new doors to open up in this time-tested relationship.

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India, Sri Lanka sign nuclear deal, energise ties

- by India Writes Network

Ending a prolonged period of drift in India-Sri Lanka relations, the leaders of India and Sri Lanka upgraded bilateral ties with the two sides signing four agreements, including a landmark pact for civil nuclear cooperation.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka’s newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena held wide-ranging talks to bolster strategic ties, increase trade and resolve long-standing issues between the two nations.
“The bilateral agreement on civil nuclear cooperation is another demonstration of our mutual trust. We discussed expansion of cooperation in energy sector both conventional and renewable,” Mr Modi said in a joint media interaction with the Sri Lankan president.
The two leaders also spent some time discussing the festering issue of fishermen straying into the other country’s territorial waters and underline the importance of resolving this issue.
The four-day visit to India from February 15 to 18 by the Lankan president is aimed at ushering a new chapter in bilateral ties that had suffered and languished during the last few years of his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa. This is Sirisena’s first foreign visit since winning national elections held in January.

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Resetting of India-Lanka relations: Delhi first port of call for Sirisena

- by Manish Chand

Barely days after the installation of a new government in the island nation, India’s relations with Sri Lanka are already on an upswing and have entered a phase of resetting, with President Maithripala Sirisena planning to visit India soon, followed by a reciprocal visit by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held three-hour long discussions with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera on a bright sunny day in New Delhi January 18. Reflecting the new shine in India-Sri Lanka ties, which had suffered in the last few years due to then President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s pro-China adventurism, the discussions, as Syed Akbaruddin, spokesperson of India’s external affairs ministry said, showed “warmth and mutual understanding” and resulted in substantive outcomes on the way ahead in this crucial relationship.
The wide-ranging discussions culminated in plans for a series of two-way high-profile visits, which are expected to reset and rejuvenate India-Sri Lanka relations in the months to come. Sushma Swaraj is expected to travel to the neigbouring island nation soon for holding the meeting of the joint commission. This will be followed by President Sirisena’s trip to India, likely February. The Sri Lankan foreign minister is also carrying an invitation for an early visit by India’s prime minister, said the spokesperson.

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