India and Sri Lanka are currently in talks about mutual defence cooperation as Sri Lanka’s diplomats including foreign minister and president are on a visit to India. On Tuesday Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath expressed his government’s desire to foster good relations with China as well as India.
Speaking at the India Foundation Program, “As a new government, we hope to have a good relationship with China also. Not only India but also China and all other countries, even US Russia Cuba and North Korea. There is no difference, as an island we have to build up a relationship with all other countries.”
India, Sri Lanka, and China are engaged in a complex triangular relationship, particularly concerning defense and strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
India and Sri Lanka’s Defense Relations:
India has been strengthening its defense ties with Sri Lanka, providing specialized training and military aid to foster closer relations.
In December 2024, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited India, marking his first overseas trip since taking office. During this visit, he assured India that Sri Lanka would not permit its territory to be used against India’s security interests.
Additionally, India announced plans to supply liquefied natural gas to Sri Lanka’s power plants and to work on connecting the power grids of the two countries.
Sri Lanka’s Relations with China:
Sri Lanka has engaged in defense cooperation with China, including agreements to enhance maritime security. However, Sri Lanka’s strategic location and economic challenges have led it to balance its relationships with both India and China. The country has faced pressure from both nations, leading to a delicate balancing act in its foreign policy.
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China’s Influence in the Region:
China has been actively pursuing its ‘Mission Indian Ocean,’ aiming to expand its influence in the region. This includes investments in infrastructure and strategic partnerships with countries like Sri Lanka. For instance, China’s involvement in the development of the Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka has been a point of contention, with India expressing concerns over potential strategic military use.
Implications for the Indian Economy:
The defense dynamics among India, Sri Lanka, and China have significant economic implications for India. Strengthening defense ties with Sri Lanka can enhance regional stability, which is conducive to economic growth. Conversely, China’s growing influence in the region poses challenges, as it may lead to increased competition for economic partnerships and strategic influence in the Indian Ocean. India’s response to these developments will be crucial in shaping its economic and strategic future.
Highlighting his next visit to China, he said, “Our first visit to India was a state visit. Our next visit to visit to China. Next month, myself and our delegation will visit to China also. We have been continuing with India and China, the US and Russia, all countries, that is our foreign policy but we are following a win-win policy that is the base of our diplomatic releases.”
Further, the diplomat emphasised the strong historical bonds between Sri Lanka and India, which date back over 2,500 years, adding that he also noted that India had introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, leading to a flourishing Buddhist civilization on the island.
“India-Sri Lanka relations are founded on historical, civilizational, religious and cultural bonds. These bonds go back to time immemorial definitely more than 2500 years the least. India had given us the gift of Buddhism which gave rise to a flourishing Buddhist civilization on the island more than two millennia ago,” Herath said.
“The influence of Hinduism was built into our socio-cultural fabric over the centuries of the movement of people and interactions. Our Sri Lankan heritage therefore essentially has links to India. Our contemporary relationship is very cordial. We have excellent diplomatic ties. Interactions between our leaders have been extremely close. And the people-to-people contacts between our two countries have always been vibrant,” he added.
Hailing ties between India and Sri Lanka, Herath said that the current visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to Delhi symbolises the “close-knit” bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan President is currently on a state visit to India. On Monday the president met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
Both nations signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday.
Welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, PM Modi said, “I welcome President Dissanayake to India. We are happy that you (Anura Kumara Dissanayake) chose India as his first foreign visit. This visit will bring a new speed and energy to the ties. For our partnership, we have adopted a futuristic vision.”
Notably, this is the first foreign visit of Dissanayake after assuming office in September.
