A repeat.
• Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s visit to India marks a continuation in India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
• The joint statement covered aspects similar to the one following his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit in 2023.
• Dissanayake’s assurance that Sri Lanka will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security and regional stability was seen as a reiteration of Colombo’s long-standing position.
• India viewed his observation as a potential factor in the clearance for Chinese ships visiting Sri Lanka, given the Wickremesinghe government’s one-year moratorium on all “foreign research vessels” visits.
• The joint statement did not touch upon the status of projects by the Adani Group.
• India’s commitment to help Sri Lanka in areas such as agriculture and the digital economy was discussed.
• A joint working group on agriculture was proposed.
• There was a mention of the proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement.
• There was a nuanced shift in Mr. Modi’s statement, with no reference to the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution.