Modi’s Visit to Sri Lanka Highlights Energy, Defence, and Health Cooperation
Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, warmly welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, marking his first official visit to Colombo since Dissanayake’s victory in last year’s elections. The visit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is balancing its relationships with India and its major lender, China.
Modi, the first foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka under Dissanayake’s leadership, was greeted with a 19-gun salute. Both leaders are expected to sign agreements on various sectors, including energy, defence, and health. A major highlight of Modi’s visit will be the inauguration of an Indian-backed solar power project, which is expected to generate 120 megawatts of energy. The solar plant, located in the Trincomalee district in the northeast of Sri Lanka, had been delayed for years but was revived with support from New Delhi.
After arriving in Colombo on Friday evening, Modi expressed his appreciation for the “spectacular welcome” he received, and he was given an honour guard parade at the capital’s Independence Square.
This visit occurs amidst Sri Lanka’s delicate balancing act between India and China. New Delhi is particularly concerned about China’s increasing influence in Sri Lanka, viewing it as part of its strategic sphere in the region.
Dissanayake’s foreign policy has been a careful balancing act, having visited New Delhi in December and Beijing in January. China, which is Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral creditor, holds more than half of the country’s $14 billion debt. Following Sri Lanka’s sovereign debt default in 2022, China was the first to restructure its loans, aiding the country’s recovery from a severe economic crisis.
In addition to its growing financial influence, China has secured a $3.7 billion investment for an oil refinery project in southern Sri Lanka, marking the island’s largest foreign investment.
While China plays a major role in Sri Lanka’s recovery, Modi’s visit underscores India’s concerns over Beijing’s expanding presence. Modi’s trip follows regional diplomatic efforts, including his attendance at the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok, where he met with Myanmar’s junta leader and Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus.
