Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the newly elected President of Sri Lanka, is visiting India for the second time in just 10 months. This time, however, his trip carries significant diplomatic weight as he arrives for a three-day State visit in his official capacity as head of state.
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The 55-year-old Marxist leader, who assumed office in September, previously visited New Delhi as the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) delegation. At that time, there was considerable speculation surrounding his political rise, with many forecasting his future role as Sri Lanka's president. Having defeated the traditional political elite in Sri Lanka, Dissanayake’s ascension to the presidency marked a major shift in the country’s political landscape.
India has been chosen as the destination for Dissanayake’s first overseas trip following his inauguration. He is accompanied by Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Vijitha Herath, and Deputy Finance Minister, Anil Jayantha Fernando.
Upon his arrival on Sunday evening, Dissanayake was welcomed at the Delhi airport by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan.
The President’s Agenda: Strengthening Bilateral Relations
During his visit, Dissanayake is expected to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, December 16. The discussions will focus on several key areas, including trade, investment, energy, and maritime security. Following the meeting, India and Sri Lanka are anticipated to sign four agreements, one of which will address cybersecurity cooperation.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who met Dissanayake on Sunday, expressed optimism about the talks. He emphasized that the discussions with Prime Minister Modi would lead to increased trust and deeper cooperation between the two nations. In a post on social media platform X, Jaishankar expressed confidence that the meetings would foster stronger ties between New Delhi and Colombo.
This visit comes at a time of evolving political and economic dynamics in South Asia, and Dissanayake’s engagement with India signals a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional challenges together.
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