India continues to “stand with the people of Sri Lanka”, the Indian government said in its first reaction to the latest political crisis in Colombo, a day after mobs overran the Presidential palace and set the Prime Minister’s private home on fire, forcing both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and PM Ranil Wickremsinghe to flee to undisclosed locations in the country. Both leaders have announced their resignations. The main Opposition Congress party also issued a statement on Sunday, expressing “solidarity” with the Sri Lankan people and urging India and the international community to assist the island nation in the throes of an economic storm and severe food and fuel shortages.
“We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in response to questions from reporters.
“India stands with the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and constitutional framework,” he added, stressing that India had already announced support of $3.8 billion to Sri Lanka in 2022, in line with the government’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. On Sunday, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay met with Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, as India handed over 44,000 metric tonnes of urea under a credit line extended to help Sri Lankan farmers.
