Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ FM Jaishankar’s recent visit to Sri Lanka highlights a significant milestone in bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Ministry of External Affairs announced Union Minister S Jaishankar’s official visit to Sri Lanka, highlighting India’s steadfast commitment to its closest maritime neighbor. While in Sri Lanka, Jaishankar engaged in extensive discussions with Sri Lanka’s leadership, covering a wide array of topics crucial to the partnership between the two nations. This visit marked Jaishankar’s first bilateral engagement as External Affairs Minister following his re-appointment.
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The timing of Jaishankar’s visit to Colombo was notable, occurring shortly after Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s attendance at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on June 9. This sequence highlights Sri Lanka’s pivotal role in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and its SAGAR Vision, as highlighted in a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs. During his visit, Jaishankar held substantive discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. These discussions were followed by high-level meetings involving Sri Lanka’s key ministers, including Nimal Siripala de Silva (Ports, Shipping, and Aviation), Mahinda Amaraweera (Agriculture and Plantation Industries), Ali Sabry (Foreign Affairs), and Kanchana Wijesekera (Power and Energy).
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Additionally, Jaishankar met with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry separately, during which several collaborative initiatives were reaffirmed, including the handover of housing units under various Indian housing projects in Sri Lanka, such as Model Village Housing Project and Indian Housing Project. A significant outcome of the visit was the formal inauguration of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), which comprises multiple operational hubs across Sri Lanka’s coastline. This initiative exemplifies the strong maritime security cooperation between the two countries. Jaishankar had also visited Sri Lanka earlier, in January 2021, March 2022, January 2023, and October 2023.
Furthermore, prominent leaders including Ali Sabry PC, the Foreign Affairs Minister; Sagala Ratnayaka, President’s Senior Advisor on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff ; Saman Ekanayake, President’s Secretary; and Santosh Jha, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka also attended the high-level meeting. The discussions during the visit also unveiled plans for various developmental projects in Sri Lanka, including the Sampur Solar Power Plant, developing the island’s milk and fertilizer industry, advancements in Sri Lanka’s digital identity card project, and infrastructure developments at key airports and ports.
Additionally, Mr Jaishankar also met with Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s former President; Sajith Premadasa, Leader of the Opposition; and leaders of the various political parties from the North, East, and Upcountry regions. The Indian leader also engaged with leaders from the Tamil community in the northern and eastern provinces, underscoring India’s commitment to inclusive development partnerships within Sri Lanka. Taking to X, he wrote, “Interacted with leadership of Indian Origin Tamils. Thank @S_Thondaman, @JeevanThondaman, A. Aravindh Kumar, M Rameshwaran, V. Radhakrishnan, Velu Kumar, Udayakumar, and Vadivel Suresh for joining. Discussed our development partnership and further cooperation in respect of IOTs.”
Concluding his Lanka trip, Jaishankar reiterated India’s unwavering support for Sri Lanka, emphasizing that India will continue to be a reliable friend and partner in Sri Lanka’s journey towards growth and prosperity. His visit signifies India’s proactive approach towards nurturing and strengthening bilateral ties with Sri Lanka under the new government. He posted on X, “Concluded a productive visit to Sri Lanka, my first in this new term. We will always be a reliable friend and a dependable partner for our Sri Lankan friends.”
