October 4th 2024.
On a beautiful Friday morning, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Colombo for a day-long visit. He was welcomed by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who was sworn in less than two weeks ago. It was an honor for Jaishankar to meet with President Dissanayake and he conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During their meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to deepen the ongoing cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. They also talked about strengthening the ties between the two nations for the benefit of their people and the region. Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the President's warm sentiments and guidance in the India-Sri Lanka relations.
Jaishankar is the first foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since the National People's Power government led by President Dissanayake came to power on September 23. He was warmly received at the airport by Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardena and the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
Before meeting with President Dissanayake, Jaishankar had a fruitful discussion with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath. He congratulated Herath on his new responsibilities and the two leaders discussed various aspects of the India-Sri Lanka partnership. Jaishankar reassured Herath of India's continued support in Sri Lanka's economic rebuilding efforts. He also emphasized that India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Sagar outlook will always guide the advancement of India-Sri Lanka ties.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry also shared the news of Jaishankar's visit on their official X handle, stating that the two foreign ministers discussed a range of matters of mutual interest. Sri Lanka is an important maritime neighbor for India in the Indian Ocean Region and holds a special place in initiatives such as 'SAGAR' and the 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.
During his time in the opposition, President Dissanayake had expressed concerns about certain Indian projects, particularly those related to sustainable energy projects by the Adani Group. He had promised to annul these projects if elected to power, claiming that they were not in the best interest of Sri Lanka. However, with the new government in place, it is expected that both countries will work together to find a mutually beneficial solution.
The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi also highlighted the importance of this visit, stating that it reflects India's commitment to the 'Neighbourhood First Policy' and 'SAGAR outlook'. They also mentioned that in February, Jaishankar had invited President Dissanayake to New Delhi for a familiarization visit.
Overall, this visit serves as a testament to the strong and longstanding partnership between India and Sri Lanka and their shared commitment to further deepen this relationship for the mutual benefit of both nations.
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