US, Sri Lanka announce to join hands for peace, Security in Indo-Pacific

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ The United States and Sri Lanka resolved to work together to foster peace, security and ensure a safe maritime domain in the Indian and Pacific oceans, the two countries said in a joint statement issued Friday.

Both countries vowed to ensure a rules-based order in the Indian Ocean. The joint statement comes a day after US Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana held third US-Sri Lanka Partnership Dialogue in the American capital.

“The United States and Sri Lanka resolved to work together to foster peace and security and ensure a safe maritime domain in the Indian and Pacific Oceans through a rules-based order that ensures respect for international laws and norms,” the joint statement said.

In this context, the US strategy towards a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, which ensures freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded commerce was acknowledged as an important initiative.