Indian PM calls for maritime security cooperation with Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for deeper maritime security cooperation with Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean.

"We deeply value our security cooperation with Sri Lanka. We should expand the maritime security cooperation between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to include others in the Indian Ocean area," Modi said in a historic address to the parliament.

"I often say that the course of the 21st century would be determined by the currents of the Indian Ocean. Shaping its direction is a responsibility for the countries in the region," added Modi, who is the top Indian leader to visit Sri Lanka in 28 years.

Referring to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement ( CEPA) proposed between the two countries, Modi said, "In our region, Sri Lanka has the potential to be our strongest economic partner. We will work with you to address your concerns to boost trade and make it more balanced."

The Indian premier also hailed steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to promote reconciliation after it came into power in January.

"They represent a new beginning. I am confident of a future of Sri Lanka, defined by unity and integrity, peace and harmony, and opportunity and dignity for everyone. I believe in Sri Lanka's ability to achieve it," he noted.

His Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the statement and thanked Modi for opening a new chapter in relations between the two countries. He described the Sri Lanka-India relationship as "two sides of a coin with the same destiny."

Key bilateral agreements were signed, including Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) pertaining to customs cooperation, youth development, visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders and the construction of an auditorium named after Indian poet and writer Rabindranath Tagore in the southern Sinhala-majority Matara district.

In addition to talks with top leaders, Modi will also address the local business community in Colombo and will also visit the ancient city of Anuradhapura and travel to the Northern Province on Saturday.

The Indian prime minister will go to Thalaimannar, where he will inaugurate the Thalaimannar pier railway station and flag off a train on the Thalaimannar-Madhu segment of the Thalaimannar- Medawchchiya Railway line reconstructed with Indian funds.

Relations between India and Sri Lanka cooled during former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's decade-long tenure but were rejuvenated after he was defeated in the January elections by Maithripala Sirisena. Endi