Sri Lanka will not allow its territory to be used for any activity that could pose a threat to India's security, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla who concluded his four-day visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday. The duo discussed a wide range of issues, including the 13th amendment and the post-pandemic economy revival.

"Sri Lanka would not be allowed to be used for any activity that could pose a threat to India's security," A statement released by the Office of President quoted him as saying to Shringla. He also “explained the nature of Sri Lanka's relationship with China "in a comprehensive manner" and informed the Indian official not to have any doubts about it," it said.

The assurance comes at a time when there are growing concerns in India about the increasing Chinese footprints in the island nation. China has been ramping up its presence in Sri Lanka, investing billions of dollars in various infrastructure projects, including ports, including the China-funded Colombo Port City project.

Shringla has reportedly conveyed to the leadership in Sri Lanka about its displeasure over the presence of “any third- country”--a euphemism for China--in the country’s north-eastern part, a region close to the Indian southern shore and where it has invested heavily. [ Read more here] 

On the Tamil issue, Shringla reiterated New Delhi’s position “on complete implementation of the provisions under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, including devolution of powers and the holding of Provincial Council elections at the earliest.”

However, Rajapaksa said there is an “urgent need to understand the weaknesses as well as the strengths of the 13th Amendment.” 

On the Trincomalee Oil Farms issue, Colombo said it was “keen to resolve the situation regarding the Trincomalee oil tanks in a manner that is beneficial to both countries.” Significantly, Shringla also visited the site--considered as strategically important to India--and called it the “symbol of energy partnership” between the two countries. In recent months, there is some friction between the two nations on it.  [Read More here]

“In Trincomalee, Foreign Secretary visited the Oil Tank Farms, a symbol of the potential and strong energy partnership between India & Sri Lanka where LIOC briefed him about the development undertaken by it at the Lower Tank Farms and its advantages to Sri Lanka’s economy,” reads a statement from the High Commission of India in Colombo. 

On Tuesday, the fishermen’s issue among others also came for discussion. India has reportedly also raised the issue of delay in the implementation of Indian projects in Sri Lanka.

In a tweet, Rajapaksa said, "Both agreed on the need for strengthening the lasting bond b/w 2 countries. I invited Indian investors to come to #SriLanka, while we discussed tourism, power generation & post-pandemic economy revival," he said.

Stressing the need to re-establish the friendship and relations that existed in the 1960s and 70s, Rajapaksa also said that he was “expecting to obtain India's support in advancing the 1971 proposal to declare the Indian Ocean a peace zone.” Importantly, it appears going against India’s expectations.

In June this year, soon after Sri Lanka parliament cleared the Port City bill, which seemed to favor Chinese investments, India made a cautionary statement.

India said, “We expect Sri Lanka will remain mindful of our excellent bilateral cooperation, including for mutual security in our shared environment, which includes the maritime domain,” and said it was following recent development from its “security perspective.” [Read more here]

Significantly, at a time when Sri Lanka has been facing its worst-ever economic crisis, there was no mention of the credit line that Colombo has been negotiating with New Delhi. [Read more here] It appears the foreign secretary's visit may not have succeeded to bridge the gaps-- that not only continue to exist but are growing-- between the expectations and concerns of the two countries. Rajapaksa’s China tilt and India’s emphasis on the Tamil issue are two key factors driving a wedge between the neighbors.   

(SAM)