https://sputniknews.in/20241217/sri-lanka-backs-adanis-decision-to-keep-us-out-of-colombo-port-project-advisor-8563462.html
Sri Lanka Backs Adani's Decision to Keep US Out of Colombo Port Project: Advisor
Sri Lanka Backs Adani's Decision to Keep US Out of Colombo Port Project: Advisor
Sputnik India
The Sri Lankan government headed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake views Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's decision to shut out the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from the Colombo Port's West International Project (WCIT) in a "positive light",
2024-12-17T19:36+0530
2024-12-17T19:36+0530
2024-12-17T19:36+0530
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The Sri Lankan government headed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake views Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's decision to shut out the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from the Colombo Port's West International Project (WCIT) in a "positive light", Jagana K, an independent advisor on strategic affairs to successive Sri Lankan administrations, including the incumbent government, told Sputnik India.He revealed that the Premadasa government had been consistently briefed on the issues facing the Adani Group, including last year's Hindenburg Report and the Department of Justice (DoJ) indictment in November.The US agency's involvement in the WCIT project could have made things a "bit complicated" for Sri Lanka, as the DFC had sought a few changes in the pact with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the advisor asserted, adding that "it would have infringed on Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity."He noted that Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) have committed to launch the port project without American involvement altogether.Jagana's comments come just a week after Adani Ports revealed in an exchange filing that it had withdrawn its request for financing WCIT from the USDFC, which had pledged a $553 million loan last November. In 2021, Adani Ports had signed a 35-year lease pact with SLPA to develop and run WCIT under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model.Commenting on the objectives of Dissanayake's state visit to India, Jagana underscored that the primary goal was to achieve a sense of "geopolitical alignment" between the two maritime neighbours.He stressed that the Dissanayake government didn't want to "alienate" India, or the US for that matter, at the expense of forging closer ties with China.Further, he said that Dissanayake's party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has had a history of anti-India activism and had been critical of India's role even during the election campaign. However, during his maiden foreign visit to India, President Dissanayake aimed to set the record straight and reaffirm his commitment to strengthening ties with India, Jagana suggested.He remarked that the defence-related announcements made at the joint presser between PM Modi and President Dissanayake were the most important outcomes during the visit.The India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement issued after the leadership talks on Monday called for exploring a defence pact, enhancing cooperation in hydrography, intensifying collaboration through joint exercises, and providing Indian defence platforms and assets to Sri Lankan forces.Jagana suggested that there is a need for deeper and stronger defence ties with India.The independent advisor said that Sri Lanka deeply appreciated India's economic assistance in helping Sri Lanka navigate the economic crisis, with Indian lines of credit and grants amounting to nearly $5 billion.The advisor noted that the government appreciates India's timely and unconditional economic assistance, especially during a challenging period. He pointed out that the economic package with the IMF came later, after extensive deliberations, and expressed Sri Lanka’s deep gratitude for India's support."We value India's help deeply," Jagana stressed.Further, he underscored that Sri Lanka would continue to remain engaged with the IMF, despite criticism about terms of the deal by Dissanayake during the election campaign.He referred to a statement by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who said in October that Sri Lanka would proceed with the IMF-led debt restructuring process.
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Sri Lanka Backs Adani's Decision to Keep US Out of Colombo Port Project: Advisor
An independent advisor with the Sri Lankan government has told Sputnik India that the Biden administration was possibly working against Indian interests in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan government headed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake views Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's decision to shut out the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC) from the Colombo Port's West International Project (WCIT) in a "positive light", Jagana K, an independent advisor on strategic affairs to successive Sri Lankan administrations, including the incumbent government, told Sputnik India.
"There have been talks in close circles among Sri Lankan leadership about the US also trying to help China to bring in an NPP [National People’s Power] government to power, as opposed to an Premadasa or the Wickremesinghe government, so that Biden could keep India in check using China. It is one of the ways that the US works through its proxies around the world," said Jagana.
He revealed that the Premadasa government had been consistently briefed on the issues facing the Adani Group, including last year's Hindenburg Report and the Department of Justice (DoJ) indictment in November.
"Adani's cooperation, with or without the DFC, is important to us. Some decision-makers have told me that they welcome Adani going alone in the WCIT project, as it would give more control to Adani and India," the advisor stressed.
The US agency's involvement in the WCIT project could have made things a "bit complicated" for Sri Lanka, as the DFC had sought a few changes in the pact with Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), the advisor asserted, adding that "it would have infringed on Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
He noted that Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) have committed to launch the port project without American involvement altogether.
"The Sri Lankan government views the development in a positive light. If the WCIT project could happen without USDFC involvement, it is definitely a welcome development for us," Jagana emphasised.
Jagana's comments come just a week after Adani Ports revealed in an exchange filing that it had withdrawn its request for financing WCIT from the USDFC, which had pledged a $553 million loan last November. In 2021, Adani Ports had signed a 35-year lease pact with SLPA to develop and run WCIT under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model.
Commenting on the
objectives of Dissanayake's state visit to India, Jagana underscored that the primary goal was to achieve a sense of "geopolitical alignment" between the two maritime neighbours.
"The last few Sri Lankan administrations have been following a policy of strategic multi-alignment. So, the government is trying to send a message to India that it remains committed to ties with India, much like the previous government under Ranil Wickremesinghe. We remain committed to the Vision statement signed between PM Modi and former President Wickremesinghe. There is a deep sense of appreciation of the civilisational bonds between our countries," Jagana explained.
He stressed that the Dissanayake government didn't want to "alienate" India, or the US for that matter, at the expense of forging closer ties with China.
Further, he said that Dissanayake's party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), has had a history of anti-India activism and had been critical of India's role even during the election campaign. However, during his maiden foreign visit to India, President Dissanayake aimed to set the record straight and reaffirm his commitment to strengthening ties with India, Jagana suggested.
He remarked that the defence-related announcements made at the joint presser between PM Modi and President Dissanayake were the
most important outcomes during the visit.
The India-Sri Lanka Joint Statement issued after the leadership talks on Monday called for exploring a defence pact, enhancing cooperation in hydrography, intensifying collaboration through joint exercises, and providing Indian defence platforms and assets to Sri Lankan forces.
Jagana suggested that there is a need for deeper and stronger defence ties with India.
"For Sri Lanka, enhanced defence collaboration with India is a priority due to the current geopolitical landscape marred by conflicts, tensions and rivalries," he said, emphasising that one of the key priorities for Sri Lanka is to enhance intelligence sharing and cooperation with India, noting the need for a comprehensive restructuring of the country's intelligence apparatus.
The independent advisor said that Sri Lanka deeply appreciated India's economic assistance in helping Sri Lanka navigate the economic crisis, with Indian lines of credit and grants amounting to nearly $5 billion.
The advisor noted that the government appreciates India's timely and unconditional economic assistance, especially during a challenging period. He pointed out that the economic package with the IMF came later, after extensive deliberations, and expressed Sri Lanka’s deep gratitude for India's support.
"We value India's help deeply," Jagana stressed.
Further, he underscored that Sri Lanka would continue to remain engaged with the IMF, despite criticism about terms of the deal by Dissanayake during the election campaign.
"While the political narrative from the NPP before the election was viewed as being critical of the IMF deal, the rhetoric has changed since President Dissanayake formally assumed power. There's a very good understanding on the IMF deal between the former President Wickremesinghe and the current President Dissanayake. They have held several closed-door meetings prior to and after the elections," the Sri Lankan advisor said.
He referred to a statement by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who said in October that Sri Lanka would proceed with the IMF-led debt restructuring process.
