On Monday, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry reaffirmed his country’s commitment to safeguarding India’s national security interests, emphasizing that Colombo, as a responsible neighbor, will not permit any threats to India’s security.
Addressing India’s concerns regarding the visits of Chinese research vessels to Sri Lanka, the Minister stated that while they aim to collaborate with other countries transparently, they will not compromise the security of India or any other nation.
“We have very clearly stated that we would like to work with all countries, but any reasonable concerns regarding Indian security will be taken into account, and we will not allow anyone to jeopardize that. Subject to that, of course, in a very transparent manner, we would like to work with all countries,” the Minister said in an interview with ANI.
“I just got to know that recently China has become India’s biggest trading partner. So similarly, like you work with that. We would also like to work with everyone, but that should not come at anyone else, third parties cost. So therefore, let me reiterate, as a responsible neighbor and a civilizational partner we will not undertake anything that would harm the legitimate security concerns of India,” he added.
Regarding the ongoing elections in India, the Minister characterized the process as a celebration of democracy and asserted that Sri Lanka would cooperate with India regardless of the election outcome.
“It’s a celebration of democracy, the largest democracy in the world. Indian people are educated. Indian people will know what is good for them. I think when it comes to elections, it is a domestic matter. It is the public who must decide and others only should watch. We see this celebration is taking place of a democracy. We want a peaceful conclusion of this, and we will work with any outcome with the Indian public decide,” he said.
Last year, India expressed security concerns over the docking of a Chinese research vessel at the Sri Lankan port, as it was indicated as a vessel capable of mapping the ocean bed, crucial for anti-submarine operations of the Chinese Navy. The ship had docked at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, commenting on the docking of the Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 in Sri Lanka, emphasized that any developments affecting India’s security are of interest to India.
“What happens in our neighborhood, any developments which have a bearing on our security, obviously are of interest to us,” Jaishankar said at a joint press conference after the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting. (ANI)
