EAM Jaishankar reiterates India’s strong support to Sri Lanka through development and connectivity initiatives
On his first bilateral visit following the re-election of the Narendra Modi government for a third term, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s House in Colombo on Thursday (June 20, 2024). This visit marks a significant moment in India-Sri Lanka relations, as both nations seek to deepen their bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
 
During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar and President Wickremesinghe jointly unveiled a digital plaque commemorating the inauguration of 106 houses constructed in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Matale districts under the Indian Housing Project. This initiative reflects India's ongoing commitment to supporting housing development in Sri Lanka, especially in regions affected by past conflicts.
 
The two leaders also handed over 48 houses from model villages in Colombo and Trincomalee to their respective beneficiaries. These model villages are part of a broader effort to provide sustainable housing solutions to underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka.
 
In a significant step towards enhancing maritime security cooperation, Jaishankar and Wickremesinghe jointly commissioned the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), established with a $6 million grant from India. The MRCC includes a central hub at the Sri Lanka Navy headquarters in Colombo, a sub-centre in Hambantota, and unmanned installations at strategic locations along Sri Lanka's coastline, including Galle, Arugambay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa, Point Pedro, and Mollikulam. This centre will serve as a crucial infrastructure for coordinating search and rescue operations in the region.
 
After the meeting, Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction with the discussions, stating that both leaders had a productive dialogue on the future of India-Sri Lanka cooperation, particularly in the areas of power, energy, connectivity, port infrastructure, aviation, digital technology, health, food security, education, and tourism.
 
“Honoured to call on Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Appreciated the progress made on various bilateral projects and initiatives. Under President @RW_UNP’s guidance, discussed the way forward for the IN LK cooperation, especially in power, energy, connectivity, port infrastructure, aviation, digital, health, food security, education and tourism sectors,” EAM Jaishankar wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
 
Later in the day, Jaishankar also called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and met his Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry. These meetings further underscored India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka through various development and connectivity initiatives.
 
On his meeting with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Jaishankar said on X, “Pleased to call on PM Dinesh Gunawardena of Sri Lanka today afternoon. Reiterated India’s strong support through development and connectivity initiatives. Confident that our development assistance and capacity building programs will keep delivering for the aspirations of people of Sri Lanka.”
 
His discussions with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry covered a wide range of topics, including capacity building, shared engagement, and greater multilateral cooperation, particularly within the frameworks of BIMSTEC, IORA, and the United Nations. EAM Jaishankar emphasised the importance of these engagements in strengthening the bilateral relationship.
 
Upon his arrival in Sri Lanka, Jaishankar was warmly received by Tharaka Balasuriya, State Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Senthil Thondaman, Governor of the Eastern Province. He expressed his gratitude for the welcome, stating on X, “Landed in Colombo for my first visit in the new term. Thank Minister of State @TharakaBalasur1 and Governor of Eastern province @S_Thondaman for the warm welcome. Look forward to my meetings with the leadership.”
 
Sri Lanka holds a central place in India's "Neighbourhood First" and "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) policies. These frameworks guide India's efforts to develop strong, mutually beneficial relationships with its neighbours, emphasizing maritime security and cooperation.
 
The visit also set the stage for a potential visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka in the near future, as anticipated by the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Sabry. This potential visit would further strengthen the ties between the two nations, building on the outcomes of Jaishankar’s current trip.
 
EAM Jaishankar also interacted with various political leaders and community representatives during his visit. He met with Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) leadership, discussing development partnerships and further cooperation. He thanked leaders including Senthil Thondaman, Jeevan Thondaman, A. Aravindh Kumar, M. Rameshwaran, V. Radhakrishnan, Velu Kumar, Udayakumar, and Vadivel Suresh for their participation.
 
He also met an eight-member delegation of Tamil leaders from the Northern and Eastern Provinces and discussed issues pertaining to development and devolution in their provinces.
 
In a broader context, EAM Jaishankar’s visit comes as part of India's renewed focus on its neighbourhood, following the Modi government's recent re-election. The visit underscores India’s ongoing commitment to supporting Sri Lanka through development projects, capacity-building initiatives, and enhanced connectivity. The discussions and projects launched during this visit are expected to add momentum to the bilateral relationship, fostering greater cooperation across various sectors.