Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, affirming Sri Lanka's key position in India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and its "SAGAR" (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both nations and the region.
The discussions touched on areas such as tourism, energy, investment, fisheries, security, and national unity.
This visit marks Jaishankar’s first visit to Sri Lanka since Dissanayake assumed office as the ninth Executive President of the island nation on September 23, 2024.
The Indian minister expressed India's ongoing support for Sri Lanka's economic recovery, as the country continues to rebuild from its worst economic crisis.
During the visit, Jaishankar also held extensive talks with Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, reaffirming India's commitment to the country’s economic revitalization and the strengthening of bilateral ties under the framework of India's regional policies. He is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya later in the day.
In a gesture of goodwill, the release of 50 Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy last month for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) was announced. They will soon return home to Tamil Nadu.
Earlier, Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, urged external affairs minister to address the arrest of 37 Tamil Nadu fishermen with the Sri Lankan authorities and secure their early release.
Rahul was referring to the September 21 arrest of the fishermen, Gandhi said that they were small-scale fisherfolk who had attempted to rescue a Sri Lankan boat in distress when they were apprehended for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.
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