Colombo: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his country would not allow its soil to be used in ways that could compromise India's security interests, a commitment aimed at easing New Delhi’s concerns over growing Chinese influence in the region.

The assurance came during bilateral talks focused on deepening cooperation in defence, energy and trade.

“I reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s stand that it will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability,” President Dissanayake said during their meeting.

China's extensive investments in Sri Lanka, including large-scale infrastructure projects, have sparked worries in India over potential threats to regional stability and sovereignty.

Defence and energy deals sealed

In a major step forward, India and Sri Lanka signed their first-ever defence cooperation agreement following the high-level discussions.

The two sides also inked a deal to transform Trincomalee into a regional energy hub and signed another agreement to support India’s multi-sectoral grant assistance in Sri Lanka’s eastern province.

The leaders jointly inaugurated the Sampur solar power project, a key milestone in the two countries’ growing energy partnership.

Several other bilateral agreements were also finalised during the meeting, further reinforcing ties between the two neighbours.

Modi receives ceremonial welcome in Colombo

PM Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday evening to a warm reception, welcomed at Bandaranaike International Airport by five senior Sri Lankan ministers, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

On Saturday, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Independence Square — an honour said to have been extended to a visiting foreign leader for the first time, underlining the symbolic and historic nature of the visit.

Sri Lanka honours Modi with top award

President Dissanayake also conferred on PM Modi the ‘Mithra Vibhushana’ award.

Accepting the honour, Modi reiterated India’s consistent support to Sri Lanka through times of crisis, including the 2019 terror attacks, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the recent financial meltdown.