It is being seen as an attempt by Sri Lanka to reassure India’s concerns of growing Chinese strategic presence in the island nation. The issue of frequent clashes over fishermen and conclusion of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) are expected to be on the agenda.
In Delhi, Mr. Wickremesinghe will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Pranab Mukherjee and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Fishermen issue
The frequent arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka will figure prominently as Mr. Wickremesinghe had earlier taken a tough stand on the issue and also created a controversy just before Mr. Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in March when he said Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters could be shot.
Ahead of Mr. Wickremesinghe’s departure to India, Sri Lanka on Sunday released 16 Indian fishermen as a gesture of goodwill.
In March, ahead of Mr. Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka — the first such visit in 25 years — 86 Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy were released.
Another issue that will figure prominently is the implementation of the 13th amendment which calls for devolution of powers to provinces.
Mr. Modi, on his visit to Jaffna, had called for early devolution of powers to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all societies including Tamils for a “life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Lanka”. “We will implement the 13th amendment within a unitary state,” Mr. Wickremesinghe had said in response.
These two issues were a major cause of friction in the bilateral relationship during the presidency of Mahinda Rajapaksa in addition to his perceived tilt towards China. Indian apprehensions in this regard were further heightened when Chinese submarines twice docked in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, his successor President Maithripala Sirisena has assured that the pro-China tilt would be corrected.
The proposed Sri Lanka resolution at the U.N. Human Rights Council later this month is also expected to figure in the talks.
-The Hindu
