India, April 23 -- As China deepens its presence through major investments, India is doubling down to protect its strategic interests - offering aid, infrastructure to send a message that it is Sri Lanka's most reliable partner

Amid the intensifying India-China battle for influence in Sri Lanka, New Delhi has reason to be satisfied following the recent two-day state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the island nation during which economic, defence, and energy ties with an important neighbour were shored up. India's strategic interests are intrinsically tied with those of Sri Lanka, hence the need to maintain close and robust bilateral relations with it. New Delhi also sought to convey to the Anura Kumara Dissanayake - led Governme...