For the first time, India and Sri Lanka are set to formalize a major defence cooperation agreement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo next week. This landmark move comes amid China’s persistent efforts to expand its military influence over Sri Lanka.
Alongside the defence pact, both nations are expected to finalize several other bilateral agreements, including a crucial deal on restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt. These agreements will be discussed during Modi’s meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Colombo on April 5.
As part of his two-nation tour, Modi will arrive in Sri Lanka on the evening of April 4 for a three-day visit, following his trip to Thailand.
At a media briefing on Friday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation is set to be signed—a first in India-Sri Lanka relations.
If finalized, this defence MoU will mark a significant milestone, strengthening bilateral security ties and moving past the strained history of India’s withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from Sri Lanka nearly 35 years ago. While specific details of the agreement remain undisclosed, it is expected to bolster defence engagements between the two nations, particularly in response to China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
“Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Our relationship, built on mutual trust and goodwill, has withstood the test of time,” Misri said, emphasizing the broader India-Sri Lanka partnership.
During his visit, Modi will focus on fostering investments and strengthening connectivity across multiple sectors, including physical, digital, and energy connectivity, along with cooperation in other key areas.
Notably, Modi will be the first foreign leader hosted by Dissanayaka since he assumed office as Sri Lanka’s president. This visit marks Modi’s return to Sri Lanka after his last trip in 2019.
The timing of Modi’s visit is significant, as it follows Dissanayaka’s recent trip to India, where he reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to ensuring that its territory would not be used in ways that threaten India’s security interests.
“India has consistently supported Sri Lanka in critical times, most recently during the unprecedented economic crisis of 2022,” Misri noted.
He further highlighted India’s role in stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment as a reliable and steadfast partner to its island neighbor.
