Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in New Delhi today for a three-day State visit, marking his first international trip since taking office in September.
Invited by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, this visit is expected to bolster ties between the two nations while addressing regional issues.
The timing of the visit is significant as both nations navigate evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region. India’s commitment to its “Neighborhood First” policy and “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative positions Sri Lanka as a critical maritime ally.
President Dissanayake was greeted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by India’s Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, and other senior diplomats and officials, including Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Additional Secretary of the Indian Ocean Region Puneet Agrawal.
The streets of New Delhi featured prominent billboards displaying images of the Sri Lankan leader alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling the importance of the occasion.
During the visit, President Dissanayake is set to meet with Indian President Murmu and hold key discussions with Prime Minister Modi These talks will focus on a range of topics, including trade, investments, infrastructure, and maritime security. Given the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean, the dialogue is expected to place a strong emphasis on defense and regional stability.
India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is also expected to meet the Sri Lankan President.
This visit comes amid ongoing concerns over China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean region. Past events, such as the docking of the Chinese missile-tracking ship Yuan Wang 5 at Hambantota Port in 2022 and a Chinese warship at Colombo Port in 2023, have raised alarm in New Delhi. India has reiterated its concerns over the potential militarization of the region and has taken steps to strengthen its defense ties with Sri Lanka.
India has supported the modernization of Sri Lanka’s defense capabilities, including the provision of domestically manufactured offshore patrol vessels. Enhancing cooperation in maritime security is expected to be a significant outcome of this visit.
President Dissanayake will also participate in a business forum aimed at promoting investments and economic collaboration between the two nations. India, already a major investor in Sri Lanka, is seeking to deepen its economic partnership. During the visit, three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, covering renewable energy, economic development, and infrastructure projects.
The cultural aspect of the visit will see President Dissanayake traveling to Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s most sacred pilgrimage sites. This visit highlights the shared cultural and religious heritage between India and Sri Lanka. India remains a top source of tourists for Sri Lanka, with Buddhist pilgrimage and the Ramayana Trail continuing to attract visitors and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who visited Sri Lanka shortly after President Dissanayake’s election victory, expressed confidence in the visit’s outcomes.
“Pleased to call on President @anuradisanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India’s Neighborhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation,” Dr Jaishankar posted on X after paying a courtesy call on the Sri Lankan President soon after his arrival in New Delhi.
