Visiting Indian Defence Minister Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09), during his three-day official visit to Sri Lanka.
The meeting focused on further strengthening the longstanding defence and security cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, with both sides reaffirming the importance of continued engagement and strong bilateral relations.
The two leaders held substantive discussions on issues covering the entire spectrum of the multi-faceted partnership between the two nations, characterised by traditionally warm relations and mutual trust.
The two sides reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue to work together for their development and welfare of the people while working jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. Raksha Mantri conveyed greetings on behalf of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and underlined that the citizens of the two countries share deep friendship based on strong historical and civilisational links and people-to-people exchanges.
Extending a warm welcome to Raksha Mantri, President Dissanayake recalled his interactions with PM Modi and reiterated that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used for any activities inimical to India’s security interests.
President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude for the relief assistance provided by India as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu during Cyclone Ditwah and the comprehensive rehabilitation package extended by New Delhi to facilitate reconstruction and rehabilitation work across different parts of the island. Raksha Mantri emphasised that as a closest friend and neighbour of Sri Lanka, India considered it not a favour, but a responsibility to provide assistance as the first responder and would continue to do so in the future as well.
Both leaders virtually inaugurated three Bailey Bridges constructed by the Indian Defence Forces. The two sides also exchanged MoUs on upgradation of L70 Guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force, and cooperation between National Cadet Corps (NCC) & National Defence Colleges (NDC) of both the countries. The MoU on Upgradation of six L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force falls under a Government of India grant. The upgradation of these air defence guns will significantly strengthen the air defence architecture of critical assets in Sri Lanka. These air defence guns were earlier provided to the Sri Lanka Air Force by India.
The MoU on academic cooperation between NDC, India and NDC, Sri Lanka will facilitate knowledge sharing which will be a significant step in further strengthening the academic bonds between both the sister institutes. The MoU on NCC cooperation will formalise the NCC youth exchange programme between India and Sri Lanka. This exchange programme provides a valuable opportunity for NCC cadets from multiple countries across the world to come to New Delhi every year and participate in NCC events.
Singh arrived in Sri Lanka last afternoon and was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Deputy Minister of Defence Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
The Indian Defence Minister is scheduled to remain in Sri Lanka until September 10. During his visit, he is expected to meet Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, and other senior officials.
According to Indian media reports, the visit is also expected to include a review of the implementation of the India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation agreement signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka last year.
The visit marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
Meanwhile, the Colombo Traffic Division has introduced a special traffic plan for the duration of Singh’s visit. Traffic restrictions will be imposed on several main roads in Colombo at various times as he travels to different locations.
India Reaffirms Support for Sri Lanka
Speaking at a community reception in Colombo yesterday, Singh assured Sri Lanka of India’s unwavering support, saying New Delhi would stand by Colombo with its full strength whenever the island nation faces a crisis.
Describing Sri Lanka as a “very close friend” of India, Singh emphasized the deep-rooted and civilisational ties between the two countries and the importance of maintaining strong relations with neighbouring countries.
“India considers Sri Lanka a very close friend. India understands this reality very well — that in life, everything can change, but neighbours can never change. Friends can change in life, but neighbours can never change,” he said.
Singh also said India’s longstanding tradition was to treat its neighbours as family members and expressed his happiness at meeting members of the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka.
