Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left Thailand and began the second leg of his foreign tour with a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, which will focus on defence ties and deepening cooperation in energy, trade, and connectivity.
PM Modi last travelled to Sri Lanka in 2019, and this will be his fourth visit to the island nation since 2015.
Notably, the prime minister will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka after he took charge last September.
Why PM Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is crucial
PM Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is aimed at enhancing bilateral defence relations and strengthening partnerships in energy, trade and connectivity sectors.
The leaders are expected to finalise a significant defence cooperation agreement following recent discussions between PM Modi and President Dissanayaka.
"We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' and provide further guidance to realise our shared objectives," PM Modi stated before departing for his two-nation journey.
This joint vision was established during the Sri Lankan president's New Delhi visit three months ago.
If signed, the MoU on defence cooperation is set to signal a major upward trajectory in India-Sri Lanka defence ties leaving behind the bitter chapter relating to India pulling out the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from the island nation around 35 years ago.
China's growing military influence on Sri Lanka could be seen as another reason for India's renewed efforts to strengthen ties with Colombo.
China's growing military influence on Sri Lanka
China is expanding its influence across the Indian Ocean region, specifically focusing on areas of Indian strategic importance.
The acquisition of Hambantota Port through Sri Lanka's debt crisis has allowed China to position vessels, including the Yuan Wang 5, a 25,000-tonne satellite and missile tracking ship. This strategic positioning raises concerns for India, given Sri Lanka's close geographical location.
Sri Lanka granted permission for Chinese vessels to dock at Hambantota for 'replenishment' purposes, despite India's initial protests in August 2022. Chinese surveillance ships continue their regular patrols in the Indian Ocean region whilst utilising the Hambantota port facilities.
Following Sri Lanka's inability to meet loan obligations, China obtained a 99-year lease on Hambantota port. The $1.7 billion development, with its first phase concluded in 2010, required Sri Lanka to pay $100 million annually, a commitment Colombo was unable to fulfil.
PM Modi last travelled to Sri Lanka in 2019, and this will be his fourth visit to the island nation since 2015.
Notably, the prime minister will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka after he took charge last September.
Why PM Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is crucial
PM Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is aimed at enhancing bilateral defence relations and strengthening partnerships in energy, trade and connectivity sectors.
The leaders are expected to finalise a significant defence cooperation agreement following recent discussions between PM Modi and President Dissanayaka.
"We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' and provide further guidance to realise our shared objectives," PM Modi stated before departing for his two-nation journey.
This joint vision was established during the Sri Lankan president's New Delhi visit three months ago.
If signed, the MoU on defence cooperation is set to signal a major upward trajectory in India-Sri Lanka defence ties leaving behind the bitter chapter relating to India pulling out the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from the island nation around 35 years ago.
China's growing military influence on Sri Lanka could be seen as another reason for India's renewed efforts to strengthen ties with Colombo.
China's growing military influence on Sri Lanka
China is expanding its influence across the Indian Ocean region, specifically focusing on areas of Indian strategic importance.
The acquisition of Hambantota Port through Sri Lanka's debt crisis has allowed China to position vessels, including the Yuan Wang 5, a 25,000-tonne satellite and missile tracking ship. This strategic positioning raises concerns for India, given Sri Lanka's close geographical location.
Sri Lanka granted permission for Chinese vessels to dock at Hambantota for 'replenishment' purposes, despite India's initial protests in August 2022. Chinese surveillance ships continue their regular patrols in the Indian Ocean region whilst utilising the Hambantota port facilities.
Following Sri Lanka's inability to meet loan obligations, China obtained a 99-year lease on Hambantota port. The $1.7 billion development, with its first phase concluded in 2010, required Sri Lanka to pay $100 million annually, a commitment Colombo was unable to fulfil.
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