Sri Lanka Backs India In Its Fight Against Pakistan-Backed Terror      

During his visit to India on 5 October, Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe shared concerns over cross-border terrorism in a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

According to sources:

Prime Minister Modi and Wickremesinghe shared concerns at the spread of cross-border terrorism in the region and reaffirmed that they were of one mind on the need to counter this menace, which was affecting progress in the entire South Asia...

Modi and Wickremesinghe assessed progress in bilateral efforts to forge closer cooperation in economic, defence and security matters. Wickremesinghe also called on President Pranab Mukherjee, and both sides reiterated the urgency to counter cross-border terrorism through united action, including at the UN through early adoption of the India-initiated Comprehensive Convention on Counter Terrorism and strengthening internal security systems.

Sri Lanka joined Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan in supporting India’s decision to boycott the SAARC Summit, virtually isolating Pakistan in the region.

The Lankan leader also assuaged any fears regarding his country’s bilateral ties with China. Sources said:

The relationship with China is an economic one, not military and Chinese were involved in the infrastructure development projects in his country. He also asserted that Sri Lanka had ensured that there were no free-hold land rights.

This was the Sri Lankan Prime Minister’s second visit to India after his party formed the government last year.