MindMatrix

French Ambassador Rémi Lambert says France is looking to deepen ties with Sri Lanka and expand cooperation in the Indian Ocean, backing freedom of navigation and maritime security as global tensions from the Middle East to the Strait of Hormuz reshape regional geopolitics. 🇫🇷 🇱🇰 @FranceinColombo @pathfinderSL Speaking at the Pathfinder Foundation’s Ambassador’s Roundtable, French Ambassador to Sri Lanka Rémi Lambert reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka and expanding cooperation in the Indian Ocean amid rising global instability. Ambassador Lambert outlined France’s position on major international issues, highlighting the growing complexity of global crises, particularly in the Middle East and Ukraine, and their impact on energy security, economic stability, and international law. He emphasised France’s role in promoting de-escalation, diplomatic dialogue, humanitarian support, and defensive cooperation with international partners. He reiterated France’s longstanding support for a two-state solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict and for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also stressed the need for stronger multilateral cooperation to address challenges such as climate change, public health risks, drug trafficking, and the governance of emerging technologies including artificial intelligence. On bilateral relations, Ambassador Lambert described Sri Lanka as a key strategic partner in the Indian Ocean, highlighting cooperation in maritime security, freedom of navigation, ocean protection, regional stability, trade, investment, sustainable development, and decarbonisation. He also noted collaboration in education, gender equality, cultural exchange, and capacity-building. During the Q&A session moderated by Pathfinder Foundation Chairman Bernard Goonetilleke, participants raised questions on the Indian Ocean, China’s regional role, the Middle East conflict, maritime security, and global governance. Ambassador Lambert reiterated France’s commitment to international law and freedom of navigation, including in relation to the IRIS Dena incident near Sri Lanka and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. He also reaffirmed France’s role as a stabilising “balancing power” in the Indian Ocean, while stressing the importance of dialogue, multilateral cooperation, and peaceful solutions to regional and global challenges. The session concluded with France underscoring the humanitarian impact of ongoing conflicts and the urgent need for diplomacy and international cooperation to restore peace and stability.

STORY | Sri Lanka refused US request to land warplanes: Dissanayake Sri Lanka refused permission for the US to land two of its warplanes in the island’s southeast, Mattala International Airport, in early March, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament in Colombo on Friday. Dissanayake said that two US warplanes from Djibouti asked for permission to come to Sri Lanka on March 4 and 8. "Both requests were rejected," he said. “We want to maintain our neutrality despite many pressures. We won’t give in. The Middle East war poses challenges, but we will do everything possible to remain neutral,” he said. “They wanted to bring in two warplanes armed with eight anti-ship missiles from a base in Djibouti to the Mattala International Airport, and we said no,” the Sri Lankan president said. Dissanayake’s statement comes a day after his meeting with US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. The two leaders discussed US efforts to safeguard vital sea lanes and secure ports, reinforce mutually beneficial trade and commercial ties, and advance a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, a statement said. READ: ptinews.com/story/national…

@MindMatrix19 Exactly, what's the point saying that after signing MoU with US Coast Guard

Breaking: "Targeting commercial shipping, endangering crews and impeding safe navigation through" Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable," Indian envoy Vikram Doraiswami @VDoraiswami tells International Maritime Organization, top UN Maritime body. Vdo Ctsy: IMO

Special Envoy Gor joined Sri Lanka Navy Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Damian Fernando aboard SLNS GAJABAHU, a former @USCG cutter now in @SriLanka_Navy service, symbolizing the strength of our longstanding maritime partnership. The fourth former U.S. Coast Guard cutter – ex-DECISIVE—now undertaking its Pacific journey to Sri Lanka, will further expand our maritime security partnership and regional cooperation.