New Delhi: As Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is on a five days state visit to India, Observer Research Foundation's Director Prof Harsh Pant has termed that India is ready to recalibrate the relationship.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Prof pant said," The early signs of Sri Lanka-India relationship is seeming to be positive. It shows that India has been able to recalibrate its relationship with Rajapaksas despite turbulent past."
"It was during Mahinda Rajapaksa's tenure in 2014 when things become soar between New Delhi and Ceylon. India denounced the then Mahinda Rajapaksa administration's close proximity with China," pant said.
Professor Pant said, "Sri Lanka's ascendance to power Rajapaksas have been successful in striking a balance between India and China. The results of this relationship will appear with the passage of time."
"Both sides have been keen on taking the relationship forward by keeping aside the turbulent past. PM Modi has become the first leader to call Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his election victory. In return, Sri Lanka President chose India as his first destination for a foreign visitors," Prof Pant added.
In 2014, Mahinda Rajapaksa administration had allowed Chinese submarines to dock in Sri Lanka without informing New Delhi. Not only this, Ceylon borrowed heavily from Beijing for infrastructure projects.
Notably, Rajapaksa has already met PM Modi. Both leaders have agreed to take the relationship forward.
After holding important discussions with Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and President Ramnath Kovind, Sri Lankan PM have visited Varanasi and Bodh Gaya.
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