During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Saturday, India negotiated energy and defense agreements with neighboring Sri Lanka, a move perceived as a response to competitor China’s expanding regional influence.
Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the president of Sri Lanka, gave Modi the highest civilian honor in the nation in recognition of “the deep personal friendship” he has demonstrated to the smaller neighbor.
“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”.
“I have reiterated our position to Prime Minister Modi that Sri Lankan territory will not be allowed to be used by anyone to undermine India’s security,” he added.
Chinese research vessels and submarines have previously landed in Colombo’s main seaport, to which India has opposed.
Since 2014, Sri Lanka has prohibited Chinese submarines from docking after India expressed alarm about two such visits.
After New Delhi claimed that Chinese ships were being used to spy on India, Colombo banned foreign research vessels last year.
Modi, the first foreign dignitary to visit Colombo since the socialist leader surged to power last year, was greeted by Dissanayake on Saturday with a 19-gun salute.
