(Times of India) – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India has told the Times of India that any security threat to India is also a security threat to Sri Lanka.The Times of India said the High Commissioner had sought to reassure the Indian government that in line with their bilateral agreement and understanding, the island nation won’t allow its ports to be used by a foreign country in any manner that is prejudicial to India’s interests.Describing India as the key to "sustainable" economic recovery of debt-ridden Sri Lanka, the high commissioner said that the strategically located country is exploring with India trilateral cooperation opportunities with Japan, Israel and the UAE.According to Moragoda, Sri Lanka wants economic integration with India which, he said, will allow the country to expand its existing economic model and ensure quicker recovery from the debt crisis it’s facing. "If we can hitch on to India, when you move we can move too.
Geopolitical issues, in my view, will get resolved on their own once this economic integration with India takes place. Of course, till then we need to have dialogue, develop understanding and ensure we don’t cross the red lines," said Moragoda."Our security concerns are totally in line.
The basic principle is that we believe what is a security threat to India is also a security threat to us and we assume India also thinks the same," he added.While the supply of essential commodities in Sri Lanka has improved, the country is grappling with food inflation which has reached 80 per cent.
Sri Lanka is currently having debtrestructuring talks with India, which has provided assistance worth $ 3.8 billion to the country this year, China and the Paris Club creditors.