India, SL reaffirm their commitment to work for welfare of both nations

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo and both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work together for the welfare and development of both nations. They discussed ways to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. Both the leaders reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners India and Sri Lanka will continue to work together for welfare of their people. Dissanayake assured India that Colombo would never allow its territory to be used for activities inimical to India’s security interests. The two sides signed three agreements to boost defence cooperation, including one to modernise India-supplied air-defence guns operated by the Sri Lankan Air Force. 
The two leaders also virtually inaugurated three Bailey bridges constructed by the Indian military in the island nation. “The two sides exchanged MoUs on upgrading L70 guns for the Sri Lankan Air Force, and cooperation between the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Defence Colleges (NDC) of both countries,” the Indian defence ministry said in a statement.
During the meeting, Singh conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings to Dissanayake. Extending a warm welcome to Raksha Mantri, President Dissanayake recalled his interactions with Prime Minister Modi and reiterated that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used for any activities inimical to India’s security interests. Dissanayake expressed his gratitude for India’s assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu following Cyclone Ditwah, as well as New Delhi’s comprehensive rehabilitation package supporting reconstruction efforts across the island. 
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha and other officials were present during the meeting.  Singh arrived in Colombo on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, aimed at deepening bilateral defence and maritime cooperation.