Modi, Wickremesinghe Pledge to Strengthen India-Sri Lanka Partnership
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised the aspirations of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka with President Ranil Wickremesinghe during their meeting in New Delhi. Mr. Modi said that India expects Sri Lanka to implement the Thirteenth Amendment to its constitution, which would devolve power to the Tamil-majority provinces. He also urged Wickremesinghe to ensure a “life of respect and dignity” for the Tamils.
The Tamils in Sri Lanka have long been seeking greater autonomy and rights. The civil war between the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan government ended in 2009, but the Tamils still feel marginalized. Mr. Wickremesinghe has said that he is committed to addressing the concerns of the Tamils. He has pledged to devolve more power to the provinces and to hold elections to the Northern and Eastern Provincial Councils.
Mr. Modi’s meeting with Wickremesinghe comes at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its ties with Sri Lanka. The two countries share a close relationship, and India has been a key partner in Sri Lanka’s post-war reconstruction efforts.
India and Sri Lanka: A Strong and Historic Bond
India and Sri Lanka have a long and close relationship that dates back centuries. The two countries share deep cultural and religious ties, and they are also close economic partners. In recent years, India has provided significant assistance to Sri Lanka in its post-war reconstruction efforts.
Economic Cooperation
India and Sri Lanka have a strong economic relationship. India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, and Indian companies have invested heavily in Sri Lanka’s economy. In recent years, the two countries have signed a number of agreements to boost economic cooperation, including a free trade agreement and an agreement to develop the East Coast Economic Corridor. An agreement on digital transactions was also signed between Lanka Pay and ECI International to facilitate acceptance of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, Mr. Modi announced that a passenger ferry service will be launched soon to connect Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and northern Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai.
Security Cooperation
India and Sri Lanka also have a strong security relationship. India has provided significant assistance to Sri Lanka in its post-war reconstruction efforts, including training and equipment for the Sri Lankan military. India is also a key security partner for Sri Lanka in the face of threats from terrorism and piracy.
The Situation in Maldives
The two leaders also discussed the situation in the Maldives. India has expressed concern about the recent political developments in the Maldives, and it has called for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the country.
The meeting between PM Modi and President Wickremesinghe was a significant event in the India-Sri Lanka relationship. The two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, and they reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the ties between their two countries.
