NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in India on Monday for his first official foreign visit since taking office in September. The trip signifies a continued tradition of Sri Lankan leaders prioritizing India as a key diplomatic partner, especially in the context of regional dynamics in the Indian Ocean.
Dissanayake, elected on an anti-corruption platform, emphasized the importance of bolstering Indo-Sri Lankan ties during discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and officials from India’s finance and foreign ministries.
“Our discussions centered on enhancing economic cooperation, fostering regional security, and exploring opportunities in tourism and energy. These engagements underscore our mutual commitment to deepening the partnership between our two nations,” Dissanayake said in a statement.
The visit comes at a crucial time as Sri Lanka continues to recover from its 2022 financial crisis, which saw the country default on $46 billion in international debt. India has emerged as a significant partner, increasing its development projects in Sri Lanka, while China remains its largest bilateral lender.
New Delhi has expressed concerns over Beijing’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, which has strategic importance in the Indian Ocean region. Dissanayake’s visit to Beijing, anticipated in early 2025, will further shape the balance of these relationships.
This visit underscores India and Sri Lanka’s shared goals of fostering economic growth, ensuring regional stability, and strengthening historic ties amidst evolving geopolitical challenges.
