India and Sri Lanka are signing a historic defense cooperation agreement for enhancing bilateral security cooperation and common interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This follows after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake historic reception in New Delhi on 16th December 2024.

Reminding each other of their shared security interests, the two countries have pledged to advance the signing of a far-reaching defense cooperation agreement. The agreement will touch on various defense cooperation issues like:

• Maritime Security: Mutual action towards an open, free, and secure maritime order in the IOR.
• Hydrography: Mutual effort towards enhanced maritime navigation and security.
• Joint Training and Exercises: Regular joint military exercises and capacity development to facilitate interoperability of forces.

The Prime Minister had clarified that Colombo Security Conclave is a front-line regional security institution of peace and development. The forum would provide both nations an opportunity for increasing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber-security, anti-smuggling and organized crime, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Regional Stability Assurances

President Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s pledge that its territory will never be utilized in a manner prejudicial to the security interests of India. The pledge comes in the context of heightened interest in regional security calculation and reaffirms confidence between the two nations.

Economic and Developmental Cooperation

Apart from defense, economic relations were also on the agenda as far as investment-led growth and connectivity projects go. These are:

Cooperation on Energy: Upgradation of the connectivity of the power grid and construction of the Sampur Solar Power Plant for ensuring energy needs in an environmentally friendly manner.

Development of Infrastructure: Financing by India of Sri Lanka’s reconstruction of its Maho-Anuradhapura rail line and support to the building of the Kankesanthurai Port.

Scholarship Assistance: Providing monthly scholarships to 200 Eastern and Jaffna Province students, and capacity development training for 1,500 Sri Lankan government officials in five years.

Enhancing People-to-People Relations

Importance was also laid on the centuries-old cultural and historical links between India and Sri Lanka because both the leaders did not forget to remind one another of the centuries-old roots of the relations, which constitute the backbone of their bilateral relations. Strengthening of relations and people-to-people contact should be given top priority in the days ahead.

This fresh defense cooperation treaty is a blueprint for India-Sri Lanka ties, evidence of mutual interest in regional security, stability, and prosperity.