 "How Dissanayake’s Delhi visit is a show of India’s diplomatic deftness")
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s (AKD) recent visit to India has been widely regarded as a landmark in fostering stronger bilateral relations between the two neighbours. The visit, carefully planned and executed, achieved significant milestones in various areas, highlighting a shared commitment to mutual growth and regional stability. Both President Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted a forward-looking approach, emphasising the importance of investment-led growth, connectivity, and deeper economic and cultural integration.
A Futuristic Vision for Partnership
During the visit, both leaders underscored the need for a comprehensive partnership grounded in physical, digital, and energy connectivity. This vision aims to position connectivity as the cornerstone of the India-Sri Lanka relationship. Initiatives such as electricity grid integration and multi-product petroleum pipelines between the two countries were emphasised as critical steps toward greater economic and infrastructural alignment. These projects are expected to enhance energy security, facilitate trade, and promote economic interdependence, bringing the two neighbours closer together.
Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for India’s continued support, particularly through its development assistance programs. India’s timely and impactful financial aid, which included $4 billion in 2022, has played a vital role in helping Sri Lanka navigate its economic crisis. The acknowledgement of this support highlights the trust and goodwill that underpin the bilateral relationship.
Tradition Meets Pragmatism
One of the noteworthy aspects of the visit was President Dissanayake’s adherence to the Sri Lankan tradition of making India the first destination for a new leader’s official visit. This gesture carries symbolic significance, emphasising the priority Sri Lanka accords to its relationship with India. Dissanayake, despite his affiliation with the traditionally anti-Indian Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) party, demonstrated remarkable pragmatism. By modulating his party’s policies to acknowledge the multifaceted and deep-rooted nature of India-Sri Lanka ties, Dissanayake sent a clear message of his government’s commitment to constructive engagement.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThis pragmatic approach is a significant gain from the visit, reflecting a recognition that India’s engagement with Sri Lanka is driven by shared interests rather than short-term political gains. The visit has helped dispel lingering misconceptions and strengthened mutual trust, laying the groundwork for more robust cooperation in the future.
Addressing Security Concerns
India’s strategic concerns were a central focus during the discussions. One of India’s long standing apprehensions has been the possibility of Sri Lanka becoming a playground for anti-Indian forces, potentially jeopardising regional security. President Dissanayake’s explicit reassurances during the joint statement and press conference were pivotal in addressing these concerns. The two leaders agreed to pursue a comprehensive Defence Cooperation Agreement, reflecting a shared understanding of emerging security challenges, including non-traditional threats such as maritime piracy, cybercrime, and terrorism.
The 10th edition of the joint military exercise “Mitra Shakti” between the Indian Army and the Sri Lanka Army took place in August setting the continuity in such engagements. The SLINEX 2024, the bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka is held this month under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) off Visakhapatnam coast.
This alignment extends beyond bilateral ties to a shared regional outlook. Sri Lanka, as the current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and India, set to assume the chair in 2025, are working closely to promote regional stability. The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), initially a trilateral initiative involving India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, has expanded to include Mauritius and Bangladesh, with Seychelles as an observer. India’s support for establishing a CSC Secretariat in Sri Lanka reflects its commitment to fostering equitable regional arrangements.
Promoting Inclusivity and Autonomy
While respecting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, India has consistently advocated for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. This provision, which guarantees autonomy for minorities in the northern and eastern provinces, has been a sensitive issue in Sri Lankan politics. Successive governments have delayed provincial council elections and failed to fully implement the amendment, leading to frustration among Tamil communities.
President Dissanayake’s political history and recent electoral success—which included substantial support from Tamil constituencies—offer a unique opportunity to address these longstanding issues. India’s subtle nudges during the visit reflected its hope that Sri Lanka would seize this moment to build trust and inclusivity. While refraining from overt interference, India’s approach emphasised the benefits of pluralistic democracy, drawing on its own experience in managing diversity.
Economic Revival: Beyond Debt
Sri Lanka’s economic recovery was another major focus of the discussions. India has been a steadfast partner, providing financial aid and development assistance to help Sri Lanka weather its economic crisis. However, both sides recognized the need to transition from a debt-driven model to a more sustainable framework based on public-private partnerships (PPP) and foreign direct investment (FDI).
India is already one of Sri Lanka’s leading sources of FDI, with investments exceeding $2 billion. During the visit, President Dissanayake engaged with Indian CEOs, seeking to attract further investment by assuring economic and political stability and a level playing field for investors. India’s efforts to convert some of its credit lines into grants have also eased Sri Lanka’s burden as it implements IMF-mandated reforms.
Cultural and People-to-People Connections
The visit also highlighted the importance of fostering cultural and people-to-people ties. Initiatives to enhance the Ramayana and Buddhism tourism circuits were discussed as a means of deepening mutual understanding and appreciation. More scholarships and training for 300 Sri Lankan civil servants annually for five years is among such efforts, expected to strengthen grassroots connections and promote goodwill between the citizens of both countries, ensuring that the bilateral relationship remains resilient in times of crisis.
Five Key Takeaways
Renewed Commitment to Connectivity: The emphasis on physical, digital, and energy connectivity marks a new phase in the India-Sri Lanka partnership. Projects like grid integration and petroleum pipelines are expected to drive mutual economic growth.
Security Cooperation: Explicit assurances from Sri Lanka and plans for a comprehensive Defence Cooperation Agreement underscore a shared commitment to addressing traditional and non-traditional security threats.
Regional Collaboration: India and Sri Lanka’s close cooperation within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave reflects a shared vision for regional stability and equitable development. India will support Sri Lanka’s BRICS ambitions when the opportunity arises.
Inclusivity and Autonomy: India’s advocacy for implementing the 13th Amendment highlights its support for a more inclusive and democratic Sri Lanka while respecting its sovereignty.
Economic Transition: The focus on PPP and FDI models signifies a shift towards sustainable economic recovery, with India playing a pivotal role as a partner in Sri Lanka’s growth.
A Historic Turning Point
President Dissanayake’s visit to India has undoubtedly marked a pivot in the bilateral relationship. By overcoming historical apprehensions and embracing a pragmatic, forward-looking approach, both leaders have set the stage for a partnership that is not only mutually beneficial but also vital for regional stability. The realities of geo-economics and shared cultural heritage were evident throughout the visit, reinforcing the idea of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family.
Moving forward, the onus is on both nations to build on the momentum generated by this visit. Strategic security initiatives, the Ramayana and Buddhism circuits, alongside robust economic and development cooperation, will be instrumental in ensuring the long-term success of the India-Sri Lanka partnership. This visit has demonstrated that even in challenging times, with careful planning and mutual respect, diplomacy can achieve remarkable outcomes.
The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
