Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake who is on a three-day state visit to New Delhi, was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 16, marking his first overseas visit as head of state.
President Dissanayake is expected to hold crucial discussions with Prime Minister Modi later in the day, aiming to reinforce ties and address key regional and global challenges. He assumed office in September following his victory in Sri Lanka’s presidential and parliamentary elections, was welcomed by Indian President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi.
During the ceremonial reception, President Murmu and President Dissanayake introduced their respective ministers, diplomats, and senior officials, emphasising the warm ties between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi also attended the event.
The Sri Lankan President’s visit, scheduled from December 15 to 17, is set to focus on deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, and maritime security.
Earlier on December 15, External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar met Dissanayake and highlighted the “island nation’s prominent role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook”.
“Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation,” the EAM said in a post on X.
