India and Sri Lanka signed the first-ever MoU on defence cooperation following the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Colombo on Saturday.
Sharing details about the deal signed, the Indian government said in a statement: “MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on Defence Cooperation.”
The two neighbours, along with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also signed a tripartite agreement to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub.
In total, seven MoUs were inked by the two nations.
International Best Practices
Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha told Daily Mirror that any cooperation activities undertaken under the proposed MoU will be in accordance with international best practices and will not conflict with the domestic laws and national policies of either Sri Lanka or India
Sri Lanka and India have had cordial defence relations for decades, engaging in defence dialogues, joint military and naval exercises, training, and workshops, according to him.
Annually, India provides training for approximately 750 military personnel from Sri Lanka. The India-Sri Lanka defence partnership has been, and continues to be, an invaluable asset for Sri Lanka, he told the newspaper.
During the Defence Dialogue, both sides agreed in 2023 to further strengthen defence relations through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation with a view to continuing the defence partnership and engagements more efficiently and in a structured manner.
The MoU was meticulously scrutinized, reviewed, and relevant negotiations were conducted in terms of circular instructions issued by the Secretary to the President in January this year concerning interactions with foreign governments. The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was duly obtained prior to signature, he said.
“The MoU will be in force for five years, with the rights reserved for the parties to terminate the agreement with three months’ advance notice, and continuation for three years thereafter, subject to a review of progress and termination, if so inclined, with similar prior notice,” he said.
Modi Gets Ceremonial Welcome
Modi, who reached Sri Lanka last evening, on Saturday morning received a ceremonial welcome at the Independence Square in Colombo.
Modi was received by Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Independence Square.
Five top Sri Lankan ministers, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, welcomed the Indian Prime Minister at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Friday evening.
The Prime Minister wrote on X, “Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka.”
BIMSTEC Summit
Modi is the first foreign leader whom Dissanayake is hosting as the country’s President.
Modi reached Sri Lanka after concluding a two-day tour to Thailand, where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit.
(With inputs from IBNS)
