Amid China’s regional hegemony push, PM Modi’s $1.1 bn talks with Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa held a virtual summit amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The dialogue took place amid China's increasing attempts to ring-fence India by pulling neighbouring nations into its camp. This is coupled with the military aggression by China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in Ladakh. On the agenda for the Modi-Rajapaksa meeting, was Lanka's request for a $1.1 billion bilateral currency swap deal. Delhi also decided to grant $15 million to Colombo to boost Buddhist cultural ties between the two nations. India also appealed to Lanka to lift restrictions on a few Indian products, and also an air bubble for travel between the two countries amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Rajapaksa sought India's help in repairing its economy damaged severely due to the pandemic. Watch the full video for more.