Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday paid homage to Sri Lanka’s sacred Buddhist tree before wrapping up a state visit during which he secured defense and energy deals, seen as a move to counter rival China’s growing influence in the region.
Modi offered flowers to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, an object of worship and a symbol of sovereignty for the Buddhist-majority island, in the pilgrim city of Anuradhapura.
The tightly guarded fig tree is believed to have grown from a sapling of the tree in India under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.
Photo: EPA-EFE / Sri Lankan President Media Division
The tree — which is guarded around the clock by monks, police and armed troops — is worshiped daily by thousands as a symbol of the “living Buddha,” its branches propped up by gold-plated iron supports.
“This visit has reaffirmed the deep cultural, spiritual and civilizational ties between our two nations,” Modi wrote on social media, before returning to India.
On Saturday, Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake oversaw the signing of seven agreements including on defense and energy.
Dissanayake rolled out the red carpet for Modi and conferred on him the country’s highest civilian honor for “the deep personal friendship” shown to Sri Lanka.
“We believe that our security interests are aligned,” Modi said on Saturday. “Our security is interdependent and interconnected.”
A five-year defense cooperation agreement provides training of Sri Lankan military personnel in India as well as information and technology sharing.
Dissanayake said he had assured Modi that Sri Lankan territory “will not be allowed to be used by anyone to undermine India’s security.”
India has previously objected to Chinese submarines and research vessels that have called at the main seaport in Colombo.
Sri Lanka has not allowed Chinese submarines to dock since 2014, after India raised concerns over two such visits.
Last year, Colombo imposed a ban on foreign research vessels following New Delhi’s accusations that Chinese ships were being used to spy on India.
Four contenders are squaring up to succeed Antonio Guterres as secretary-general of the UN, which faces unprecedented global instability, wars and its own crushing budget crisis. Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi, Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan and Senegal’s Macky Sall are each to face grillings by 193 member states and non-governmental organizations for three hours today and tomorrow. It is only the second time the UN has held a public question-and-answer, a format created in 2016 to boost transparency. Ultimately the five permanent members of the UN’s top body, the Security Council, hold the power, wielding vetoes over who leads the
South Korea’s air force yesterday apologized for a 2021 midair collision involving two fighter jets, a day after auditors said the pilots were taking selfies and filming during the flight and held them responsible for the accident. “We sincerely apologize to the public for the concern caused by the accident that occurred in 2021,” an air force spokesman told a news conference, adding that one of the pilots involved had been suspended from flying duties, received severe disciplinary action and has since left the military. The apology followed a report released on Wednesday by the South Korean Board of Audit and Inspection,
Young Chinese, many who fear age discrimination in their workplace after turning 35, are increasingly starting “one-person companies” that have artificial intelligence (AI) do most of the work. Smaller start-ups are already in vogue in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, with rapidly advancing AI tools seen as a welcome teammate even as they threaten layoffs at existing firms. More young people in China are subscribing to the model, as cities pledge millions of dollars in funding and rent subsidies for such ventures, in alignment with Beijing’s political goal of “technological self-reliance.” “The one-person company is a product of the AI era,” said Karen Dai
About 240 Indians claiming descent from a Biblical tribe landed at Tel Aviv airport on Thursday as part of a government operation to relocate them to Israel. The newcomers passed under a balloon arch in blue and white, the colors of the Israeli flag, as dozens of well-wishers welcomed them with a traditional Jewish song. They were the first “bnei Menashe” (“sons of Manasseh”) to arrive in Israel since the government in November last year announced funding for the immigration of about 6,000 members of the community from the states of Manipur and Mizoram in northeast India. The community claims to descend from
RSS