External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Sri Lanka on Thursday, marking his first bilateral trip abroad during his second consecutive term in office. This visit underscores India’s "Neighbourhood First Policy" and highlights New Delhi's ongoing commitment to Sri Lanka, considered its "closest" maritime neighbour and a long-standing ally.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasised that Jaishankar's visit will boost connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial collaborations between the two nations.
The visit follows Jaishankar’s participation in the G7 Outreach summit in Italy’s Apulia region last week, where he was part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s delegation. His trip to Sri Lanka will be a standalone bilateral visit since he assumed his role as External Affairs Minister for the second term on June 11.
During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with Sri Lankan leadership to discuss a wide range of issues. This visit, as stated by the MEA, reaffirms India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka, emphasising the importance of cooperation in various sectors. The MEA also noted that the visit will enhance momentum for connectivity projects, fostering further collaboration that benefits both nations.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, among other prominent leaders from India’s neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi and the Union council of ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9. This visit by Jaishankar is seen as a follow-up to that engagement, aimed at deepening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for partnership.
India’s "Neighbourhood First Policy" has been a cornerstone of its foreign relations, especially with neighbouring countries. Jaishankar’s visit is expected to build on this policy, focusing on projects that enhance connectivity and cooperation.
The visit also signifies India’s strategic interest in ensuring stability and development in the region, further strengthening the historical and cultural ties that bind the two countries.
As Jaishankar prepares for his visit, the emphasis will likely be on discussions that address key areas of interest and concern for both nations. This includes economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and other sectors where mutual interests align.
The visit is poised to set the stage for more robust and dynamic engagement between India and Sri Lanka, paving the way for a deeper partnership that benefits both countries.
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