The assurance given to India, message to China… did Sri Lankan President foil Jinping's plan?
Sri Lanka's new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has come to India on his first foreign visit. During this, he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and both leaders discussed increasing cooperation with each other. Left leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the election results on 22 September this year, after which concerns were being expressed in the Indian media that he might turn towards China.
However, Dissanayake clarified on his first visit how important India is for Sri Lanka. He also assured that he would not let Sri Lanka's land be used against India. He gave this assurance after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
It is a privilege to visit India on my first overseas trip as President and I am grateful to PM @narendramodi for supporting Sri Lanka during the economic crisis and for aiding debt restructuring. We discussed trade, defence, energy, BRICS, UNCLCS, and stopping illegal fishing… pic.twitter.com/hk1dOjK8IV
— Anura Kumara Dissanayake (@anuradisanayake) December 16, 2024
The assurance given after India's concern
Dissanayake gave this assurance after India raised objections to Colombo after allowing a Chinese research vessel to dock at the Hambantota port in 2022. The media asked Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri whether the issue of berthing of foreign research vessels in Sri Lankan ports was raised with Dissanayake during the talks. In response, the Foreign Secretary said that our understanding of India is that Colombo is considering this issue. He also said that India has also discussed increasing cooperation with Sri Lanka on maritime security and research.
Elaborating on Dissanayake's assurance, Vikram Misri said, "We will continue to engage with the Sri Lankan government on all these issues and we are confident that Colombo will give due attention to such issues."
Jinping's plan failed
China has suffered a major setback as Dissanayake's first foreign tour started from India. After Pakistan, China is trying to bring India's other neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh etc. to its side. First the statements of the President of Maldives and now the President of Sri Lanka have made it clear that without India, it is not possible for these Asian countries to progress and these countries need India more than China.
India raised its voice for the Tamil people
During the discussion with the Sri Lankan President, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the issues of the Tamil community and the need to implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. In the joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi said, "We have also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Dissanayake apprised me of his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan government will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil people and they will fulfill their commitment to fully implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka and conduct provincial council elections.