New Delhi: During his current visit to India, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi on Monday. Upon arrival there, the two leaders of the neighbouring countries extended greetings to each other.
In a post on X, MEA said that wide-ranging discussions were held between the delegations of India and Sri Lanka led by PM Modi and President Dissanayake respectively. "Both sides reviewed the comprehensive partnership and agreed on a roadmap to deepen ties for the mutual benefit of the two countries as well as the region," MEA said.
A new milestone in the 🇮🇳-🇱🇰 partnership.
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 16, 2024
Wide-ranging discussions held between the delegations of India and Sri Lanka led by PM @narendramodi and President @anuradisanayake respectively.
Both sides reviewed the comprehensive 🇮🇳-🇱🇰 partnership and agreed on a roadmap to deepen… pic.twitter.com/D23ebIWgdV
Earlier this morning, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake visited Rajghat and paid his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, was present during this visit.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "President @anuradisanayake of Sri Lanka paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat this morning. Bapu's timeless values of truth and non-violence continue to inspire humanity all over the world. Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi in the morning on Monday. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhavan."
President Dissanayake inspected a Guard of Honour by the combined defence services. On this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake introduced each other to their respective ministers, diplomats, and officials. Sri Lankan President shared a video on X which showed him receiving ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The Sri Lankan President is on a state visit to India from December 15 to December 17. This is the first bilateral visit of Dissanayake to India after assuming office in September. Earlier on Sunday, the Sri Lankan President was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan in Delhi.
After arriving in Delhi, President Dissanayake also met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
In a press briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that Sri Lankan President, during his visit to India, will also participate in a business event in Delhi and visit Bodh Gaya. He further said, "The visit of President Dissanayake to India shall further strengthen the multi-faceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries."
In a press release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "Sri Lanka is India's closest maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a central place in Prime Minister's vision of 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy." (with agency inputs)
Also Read:
