Sri Lanka's big assurance to India amid Chinese influence in Hambantota port

India has taken significant steps to expand its influence in the island nation in recent years, especially since the ouster of the Rajapaksas in 2022.

Sri Lanka on December 16 assured India that it will not allow its territory to be used in any manner that could harm the security of India.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks today in former's maiden overseas visit since assuming office that focused on shoring up ties as concerns grew over China's influence in the region.

Dissanayake said, "I have also given an assurance to the Prime Minister of India that we will not allow our land to be used in any way in a manner that is detrimental to the interest of India. The cooperation with India will certainly flourish and I want to reassure our continued support for India."

India and Sri Lanka adopted a futuristic vision to expand their partnership, resolved to soon conclude a defence cooperation pact and decided to ramp up energy ties by establishing electricity grid connectivity and multi-product petroleum pipelines.

The docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship 'Yuan Wang' at Hambantota port in August 2022 had triggered a diplomatic row between India and Sri Lanka.

Also Read | Sri Lanka President Dissanayake picks India for first state visit: Signal for China?

China had taken possession of the Hambantota port for a lease of 99 years after Colombo was not able to repay $100 million annually for the $1.7 billion loan that it had taken for the construction of the port.

Another Chinese warship docked at the Colombo port in August last year, renewing concerns about Beijing's activity in the region.

India has taken significant steps to expand its influence in the island nation in recent years, especially since the ouster of the Rajapaksas in 2022.