India and Sri Lanka to reboot relations
China's influence in Sri Lanka may be on the wane as the country's new president meets with his Indian counterpart to strengthen ties
The leaders of India and Sri Lanka vowed to strengthen their relationship after a period of tensions yesterday and declared their countries' fortunes were intertwined as they held their first summit in Delhi.
China's growing influence in Sri Lanka over recent years has been a source of disquiet in India, which has long regarded the neighbouring island as within its natural sphere of influence.
But Maithripala Sirisena's victory over Sri Lanka's long-time ruler Mahinda Rajapaksa in elections last month has been seized on by both sides as a chance for a reboot in relations, fuelled by the new president's decision to make India his first port of call in office.
"It's an honour that you have chosen India as your first foreign destination," India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after hosting talks for Sirisena, who is barely five weeks into his tenure.
"India is the closest neighbour and friend of Sri Lanka. Our goodwill and support will always be with you. I believe our destinies are interlinked.
"We are at a moment of an unprecedented opportunity to take our bilateral relations to a new level."
While there were no major announcements, the two leaders did strike deals to cooperate on nuclear energy and strengthen defence ties as well as announce plans for Modi to pay a reciprocal visit to Sri Lanka next month.