Rajnath Singh Meets Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Discusses Development Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo and discussed bilateral relations in key areas, including development cooperation, education and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.

Singh said on X that he met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo and exchanged views on several issues related to development cooperation, education and the close cultural and civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka.

He further emphasised that as two sister democracies with a shared heritage, India and Sri Lanka should continue working towards a shared development vision for peace and prosperity in the region.

Rajnath Singh Interacts with Sri Lankan Senior Military Leadership

During his visit to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence, Singh also held discussions with the country’s senior military leadership.

Singh said that many of the senior military leaders had received training in India and share close ties with the country. In his brief remarks, he emphasised the MAHASAGAR vision for “Mutual” and “Holistic” advancement and reiterated India’s desire to further strengthen the long-standing India-Sri Lanka defence and strategic partnership, with particular emphasis on maritime cooperation.

Earlier Met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Earlier, Singh met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to work together for their development and the well-being of their people.

During the meeting, Singh conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm greetings to Dissanayake. They also discussed ways to ensure the security, safety, peace and prosperity of the region. India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and other officials were present during the meeting.

Singh described his meeting with President Dissanayake in Colombo as warm and highly productive. He conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congratulated Dissanayake on the successful completion of two years of his government.

Singh said both sides reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue working together for the development of their countries and the well-being of their people, while jointly working to ensure security, safety, peace and prosperity in the region.

Three-Day Official Visit to Sri Lanka

Singh arrived in Colombo on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, aimed at deepening bilateral defence and maritime cooperation. Before departing for Colombo, Singh said he looked forward to productive discussions with the Sri Lankan leadership.