Sri Lanka confirms it is set to ink defence pact with India during PM Modi's visit

Sri Lanka on Saturday (April 5) confirmed for the first time that it was set to unveil a contentious defence agreement with India, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally began a state visit to the island nation.

Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha said a formal MoU on defence cooperation will be signed in Colombo “to continue the defence partnership and engagements more efficiently and in a structured manner”.

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The proposed agreement will be in force for five years, Thuyacontha said, adding that either country could terminate it with a three-month advance notice. The accord could also be extended every three years.

What MoU is for

According to the official, the proposed agreement will cover the exchange of military officers, training, staff talks between the forces, exchange of information, and cooperation in defence technology and research. All this will be “carried out in a professional manner”.

Thuyacontha said Sri Lanka and India have had cordial defence relations for decades, engaging in defence dialogues, joint military and naval exercises, training and workshops.

“Any cooperation activities undertaken under the proposed MoU will be in accordance with international best practices and will not conflict with the domestic laws and national policies of either Sri Lanka or India,” he added.

Boosting defence partnership

Annually, India provides training to some 750 military personnel from Sri Lanka. “The India-Sri Lanka defence partnership has been, and continues to be, an invaluable asset for Sri Lanka.”

The official pointed out that it was during the Defence Dialogue held in 2023 that both countries agreed to further strengthen defence ties through a formal MoU on defence cooperation to continue “the defence partnership and engagements more efficiently and in a structured manner”.

The defence secretary’s statement was aimed at setting the stage for the unveiling of the defence agreement which has already led to criticism from sections of the political establishment.

Major leap in India-Lanka ties

“When carrying out cooperation activities under this MoU, the parties commit themselves to respect the national and military laws and regulations of the parties and the relevant principles and purposes of the Charter of the UN, which include sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity and inviolability, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of the parties.”

A formal defence agreement will be a major leap forward in India-Sri Lanka relations which were badly hit after Indian troops deployed in the island’s north and east under a 1987 bilateral pact ended up waging war against the now vanquished Tamil Tiger guerrillas.

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The 1987-90 conflict, which led to the death of nearly 1,200 Indian soldiers, ended amid great bilateral strains when then Sri Lankan president Ranasinghe Premadasa went on to covertly arm the Tigers against the Indian troops.

PM Modi in Sri Lanka

Indian Prime Minister Modi, who flew into Sri Lanka on Friday night, on Saturday formally began his state visit to the island nation with a ceremonial military guard of honour in the heart of Colombo.

India and Sri Lanka are set to sign a slew of agreements covering various sectors on Saturday. Modi will return to India on Sunday.