Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday wished Sri Lanka Prime Minister Mahindra Rajapakshe on the occasion of the 73rd Independence Day of Sri Lanka. In his congratulatory message, Modi hoped for “strong ties” between the two nations. 

Reiterating deep-rooted old ties based on shared linguistic, cultural, and traditional ties, Modi hoped that the relations would be further cemented in years to come.

Interestingly, Modi’s wish came a day after the Sri Lanka government decided to go all it alone on the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port. Earlier in 2019, a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed, stating Sri Lanka, India and Japan would jointly develop the ECT.

Under pressure from trade unions, the Sri Lankan government dragged its feet on the deal. The Indian high commissioner reacted sharply to the development, saying India expects the Sri Lankan government would honor the mutual existing understanding on early implementation of the deal.

The decision is likely to have repercussions on Indo-Sri Lankan ties. Media reports indicated India would soon raise the matter at the political level.