Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on December 16, 2024. Photo Courtesy: Shivkumar Pushpakar
India and Sri Lanka on Monday (December 16, 2024) took a forward-looking approach to expanding their partnership, resolved to sign a defense cooperation agreement soon and decided to boost energy ties by connecting electricity grids and setting up multi-product petroleum pipelines.
The decision was taken during extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Prime Minister Modi said that both sides have decided to focus on investment-led growth and connectivity for India-Sri Lanka economic partnership and decided that physical, digital and energy connectivity will be key pillars of cooperation.
Work will be done to connect electricity grids and install multi-product petroleum pipelines, Mr. Modi said, adding that India will supply liquefied natural gas to the island nation’s power plants.
The Prime Minister also announced the resumption of services between Rameswaram and Talaimannar to expand connectivity between the two countries.
“Both of us agree that our security interests are intertwined. We have decided to finalize the defense cooperation agreement soon. An agreement has also been reached for cooperation in hydrography,” Mr Modi said.
The problem of fishing was also raised in the talks.
“We also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we must proceed with a humanitarian approach to this matter,” Mr. Modi said.
Regarding the Tamil issue, Mr. Modi told India that he hoped the Sri Lankan government would fulfill the community’s aspirations.
The Prime Minister also mentioned that India has so far provided loans and grants worth $5 billion to Sri Lanka.
“We have support in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka and the selection of our projects is always based on the priorities of our partner countries,” PM Modi said.
published – December 16, 2024 at 03:48 pm IST