Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 9 — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Wednesday that Indian and Sri Lankan ports could become “engines of shared economic growth,” with maritime industries emerging as drivers of future prosperity for both countries and the wider region.
Addressing Sri Lanka’s military leadership at the Ministry of Defence on “India-Sri Lanka Maritime Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,” Singh said the future of bilateral ties should be based on the principle that geographical proximity creates interdependence and opportunities for shared development.
Addressing the longstanding fishermen’s dispute between the two countries, Singh said he was aware of the challenges faced by fishing communities on both sides and called for resolving fisheries disputes in a mutually beneficial manner while respecting relevant laws and geographic jurisdictions.
He described the issue fundamentally as a livelihood concern that should be handled with care and sensitivity while ensuring effective maritime law enforcement.
Singh invoked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s MAHASAGAR vision for the Indian Ocean Region and called on India and Sri Lanka to move beyond traditional models of cooperation and develop new approaches based on mutual and holistic principles.
Referring to the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, Singh cited naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan’s famous observation that control of the sea has historically been closely linked to global power. He said the Indian Ocean was no longer merely a waterway but a key arena where the region’s economic and strategic future would be shaped.
Singh highlighted joint efforts during maritime emergencies involving the MT New Diamond and MV X-Press Pearl, cooperation under the Colombo Security Conclave and the shared Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre as examples of growing bilateral trust.
He proposed establishing a joint, real-time maritime domain awareness system involving the two countries’ navies and coast guards to combat illegal fishing, narcotics trafficking and smuggling.
The Defence Minister also proposed an institutionalized economic framework covering fisheries, marine biotechnology, ocean science and maritime tourism, along with a joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mechanism for emergency response.
Describing India as Sri Lanka’s “Vishwa-Mitra,” or world friend, Singh said the two countries were well positioned to serve as close partners in maintaining peace, security and stability across the Indian Ocean Region.
Singh’s remarks came as India and Sri Lanka seek to deepen their traditionally close bilateral relationship, with defense and maritime cooperation emerging as key areas of focus during his three-day visit, which began Tuesday. (ANI)
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