India not sending troops to Sri Lanka

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India has categorically dominated out sending any troops to Sri Lanka, however will proceed to increase all potential help to its southern neighbour that has plunged into political-economic turmoil.

Putting all speculations round navy intervention to relaxation, the Indian High Commission in Colombo mentioned, “We would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about India sending troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Indian government.”

In continuation of its assist to the island nation that’s battling an unprecedented financial disaster, India on Sunday despatched 44,000 metric tonnes of urea beneath $55 million Line of credit score. “We highly appreciate this gesture of friendship and cooperation from the Government of India,” mentioned the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi because the consignment reached Colombo.

India has already prolonged $3.8 billion as LOC to Sri Lanka which has enabled them to purchase necessities like gasoline, medicines and meals. However, it’s unlikely that India will become involved in resolving the present political scenario in Sri Lanka.

“The country has an existing debt of $40 billion. So small interventions will not help it tide over the existing crisis. Also, all the help that India has extended in the past has got embroiled in petty political controversy, so any initiative taken by India may be misconstrued at this point in time,” mentioned an knowledgeable on India-Sri Lanka relations.

Sri Lanka’s former PM Mahinda Rajapaksa closely tilted in the direction of China. The tide turned after the Chinese-made Hambantota port turned a millstone across the nation’s neck because it pushed it in a debt lure. Ever since, Sri Lanka has been reaching out to India to bail it out.