A neighbour is always the one who comes to your help not only as a duty but also strong reaffirmation of deep friendship and affection:RM
Text of RM’s speech at Deck reception onboard INS Udaygiri in Colombo.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaskar, Good Evening, Ayubowan, Vanakkam.
I am delighted to be amongst all of you this evening.
First of all, let me also extend a warm welcome to all of you on board INS Udaygiri.
This ship has an association with Sri Lanka. It was among the first responders to bring in help during the devastating cyclone Ditwah, along with INS Vikrant, India’s flagship aircraft carrier.
India and Sri Lanka are not only long-standing friends and neighbours connected through our shared cultural, historical and civilizational heritage, but also crucial partners in ensuring safety and security of the Indian Ocean Region. The ocean doesn’t divide us but connects us through a unique and everlasting bond of deep people to people connect.
This forms the basis of our Neighborhood First Policy. A neighbour is always the one who comes to your help not only as a duty but also strong reaffirmation of deep friendship and affection. It is not a formality but a commitment, a promise to keep that we are always there through thick and thin. We call it in Hindi “सुख –दुःख के साथी”.
Our mutual trust and respect is also visible in the longstanding defence and maritime cooperation between our two countries. Both bilaterally as well as under the multilateral rubric our forces work together and benefit from each other’s experiences and joint exercises. This partnership also holds special significance as we join hands and work together in the wider Indian Ocean Region, through activities like Search & Rescue, Counter-narcotics, anti-piracy operations.
Capacity building has always been a strong pillar of our bilateral defence cooperation. It has been our constant endeavour to respond to Sri Lanka Armed Forces requirements and keeping in mind your interests and priorities. Given the salience of maritime cooperation, it is undoubtedly an area where we foresee a closer and deeper engagement.
The visit of INS Udaygiri is a symbol of our commitment and desire to work shoulder to shoulder with our Sri Lankan friends for the welfare of our countries and our people. The ship has carried some equipment and components as part of the assistance provided by India under the flagship Defence Diplomacy initiative. These include spares for Indra MK 2 –Radar to the Sri Lankan Air Force, spares for Sri Lanka Navy Ship SAYURA and Inflatable targets for Sri Lankan Navy.
Earlier today, I had extremely productive and fruitful discussions with H.E. Anura Kumara President Dissanayake. After our discussion, we concluded three Memoranda of Understanding in the defence domain, namely:
MoU on Upgradation of L 70 Guns for SLAF.
MoU on NCC cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
MoU on Cooperation between NDC, India and NDC, Sri Lanka.
We also virtually inaugurated 3 Bailey bridges, built by the Indian Army Engineering Team in close cooperation with Sri Lankan Armed Forces and Road Development Authority, which were destroyed during Cyclone Ditwah.
Let me reiterate that India remains a committed partner for the capacity enhancement of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces. Going ahead, we will also be working together for creation of an Artificial Intelligence Lab for Sri Lankan Army for its capability enhancements.
To conclude, let me once again thank the Sri Lankan government and the people for their warm welcome and affection displayed towards me and my delegation. Your welcome made us feel at home and reinforced our firm belief in our collective heritage where the values of cooperation, collaboration and brotherhood continue to guide us.
Earlier today I also visited the Ganga-ramaya Temple and paid my respects there. My visit further reinforced our shared commitment to spread the message of peace, empathy and mutual understanding, values that we have both inherited from Lord Buddha. I remember the eternal message of “Atta Dipo Bhava” or “Be a light unto yourself”. Let us kindle that light within us to spread this valuable message for the benefit of the Humanity.
धन्यवाद। Thank You.
बोहोमा स्तुति। नंद्री।