evidence: Should India be focused on regaining a foothold and influence within the island nation, it is clear that they will be following a more pragmatic policy to do so. In fact, it’s already clear that India has been enacting such a policy since November’s election. Not long after the results were declared, Subrahmanyam Jayshankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, was sent to Sri Lanka to greet the newly elected president. This trip was then followed by Sri Lanka’s newly elected president visiting India on his first official overseas trip. During his time in India, Narendra Modi announced $400 million of credit for infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka and promised $50 million to address security-related issues, particularly in the fight to combat terrorism. [...] The geopolitical setting of India and Sri Lanka compels the two countries to respect each other’s security concerns. A stable Sri Lanka has always been a major interest of India, as well as the security of the whole Indian Ocean region. According to Prime Minister Modi: "the security and development of two countries are inseparable therefore it is natural that we should be aware of each other’s safety and sensibilities". In addition, India’s primary interest remains in a peaceful and stable Indian Oceanthat has a huge role in achieving its primary goal of the economic transformation.