COLOMBO: India secured defence and energy deals with neighbouring Sri Lanka on Saturday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, seen as a move to counter rival China’s growing influence in the region.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake rolled out the red carpet for Modi and conferred on him the country’s highest civilian honour for “the deep personal friendship” shown to the smaller neighbour.
“We believe that our security interests are aligned,” Modi said during a televised ceremony from Dissanayake’s office in the capital.
“Our security is interdependent and interconnected.”
A five-year defence cooperation agreement provides training of Sri Lankan military personnel in India as well as information and technology sharing.
Dissanayake applauded what he called “India’s rise as a world power, not just a regional power”.
