India’s Support for Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, pledging India’s “full support” for the island nation’s economic recovery and growth.
• Key issues discussed included India’s security interests, the ongoing fisheries conflict, and the political settlement of Sri Lanka’s Tamils.
• Both leaders extended invitations for bilateral visits, marking the first high-level foreign dignitary visit to Sri Lanka after Mr. Dissanayake assumed office.
• Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s full support for Sri Lanka’s economic rehabilitation, highlighting India’s commitment to assisting in tourism, investment, electricity, energy services, and the dairy industry.
• He highlighted India-backed initiatives in energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of religious places, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health and dairy development.
• The meeting did not mention the controversial Adani power project in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, which is currently in a court battle.
• The meeting also discussed collaboration in the island’s vital tourism sector, with Mr. Jaishankar offering to expand the flow of Indian tourists.
• The Sri Lankan leadership assured the top Indian official that they were mindful of India’s security interests and would not allow their territory to be used in a manner inimical to India’s security interests.
• Mr. Dissanayake promised in his poll manifesto to deliver a political settlement to the Tamils through a new Constitution.
• Mr. Jaishankar raised concerns pertaining to Indian fishermen detained in Sri Lanka, urging their early release and reconsideration of the heavy fines imposed on them.