New Delhi: – Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on a five-day visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. Detailed discussions on topics from the Indo-Pacific sector to counter-terrorism actions were held during the meeting. Prime Minister Modi underlined that the Sri Lankan stability, security and prosperity is not important only to India, but it is vital for the whole Indo-Pacific sector. At this time, a decision to increase in the commercial projects, trade and investment and cooperation in the counter-terrorism actions, were taken.
The visit of PM Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has also been the former President of Sri Lanka, is considered important from several perspectives. During his tenure as the President of Sri Lanka, his policies were pro-China. It was during his tenure that the Chinese movements increased in the Indian ocean. This had become a cause for concern for India.
But India has regained its status in the Sri Lankan politics in the last five years. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa chose Indian as the destination of his first foreign visit, after assuming office and even Mahinda Rajapaksa has chosen India as the destination for his first foreign visit, as the Prime Minister. This underlines the Indian influence.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held bilateral discussions. The Indo-Pacific sector finds a mention in the joint statement issued by the two leaders following the meeting. The statement that the close cooperation with India is invaluable, in this sector, clearly indicates a sea change in the Sri Lankan stand regarding China.
India, as well as Sri Lanka, is faced with a stiff challenge posed by terrorism and both the countries are suffering this. Prime Minister Modi said that this cooperation can be strengthened further. Prime Minister Modi also welcomed the Sri Lankan willingness to work with India for regional safety and development.
Earlier, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister had met with Foreign Minister S.Jaishankar. Prime Minister Rajapaksa said that there were detailed discussions regarding the projects, being implemented by India in Sri Lanka and many other areas of cooperation.
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