New Delhi: FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), one of India’s leading women entrepreneurs’ bodies, welcomed a high-level women parliamentary delegation from Sri Lanka in New Delhi on Wednesday to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation in women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and economic participation.
The visiting delegation was led by Sarojah Savithri Paulraj and included prominent members of Sri Lanka’s Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus. During the interaction, both sides discussed ways to deepen India-Sri Lanka relations through inclusive growth, greater participation of women in decision-making, and enhanced economic collaboration.
Welcoming the delegation, Pooja Garg highlighted the centuries-old civilisational and cultural ties shared by India and Sri Lanka. She said Sri Lanka occupies a central place in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and noted that bilateral relations between the two nations have evolved into a mature and future-oriented partnership.
Pooja Garg said FLO, over the past 42 years, has emerged as one of India’s most influential women-led business organisations, committed to promoting entrepreneurship, professional excellence, leadership development, and socio-economic empowerment among women across sectors. She also outlined several flagship initiatives of FLO, including the Startup Cell, MSME Support Cell, Women in STEM programmes, rural entrepreneurship initiatives, financial literacy drives, and digital skill platforms.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Lankan Minister Sarojah Savithri Paulraj praised the work of FLO and said the vision of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus closely aligns with the organisation’s mission of empowering women through leadership, education, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and community engagement. She emphasised that when women lead in governance and the economy, societies prosper as a whole.
Anant Swarup said India and Sri Lanka are not only neighbours but also partners bound by history, culture, and shared aspirations for progress. He noted that both countries strongly believe in women empowerment and inclusive development.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through the exchange of best practices in women entrepreneurship and policy advocacy. Discussions also focused on leadership development, MSMEs, startups, handicrafts, textiles, rural enterprises, STEM education, financial literacy, digital inclusion, and trade facilitation initiatives. The two sides further stressed the importance of cultural and people-to-people exchanges in enhancing regional cooperation.
The event was attended by former FICCI President Poonam Sharma, FLO Vice President Pooja Chaudhary, members of the FLO presidium, governing body members, former chairpersons, and senior members of the organisation.
