(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from January 19-20, 2023.
During his visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.
Dr. Jaishankar will also hold discussions with his Sri Lankan counterpart Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry on the entire gamut of close India-Sri Lanka partnership and steps to strengthen it in all spheres, the press release added.
EAM’s visit to Sri Lanka will follow his earlier visits to Sri Lanka in January 2021 and March 2022.
The statement noted that Sri Lanka is a close friend and neighbor, and India has stood with the people of Sri Lanka at all times.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will be accompanied by Joint Secretary (IOR) Puneet Agrawal, Director Sandeep Kumar Bayyappu, Deputy Secretary (Sri Lanka) Nidhi Choudhary and Deputy Secretary Raghoo Puri from the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
The External Affairs Minister’s visit to Colombo follows the conclusion of his visit to Maldives on Wednesday.
Both Maldives and Sri Lanka are India’s key maritime neighbors in the Indian Ocean Region and occupy special place in Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and ‘Neighborhood First’. EAM’s visit is testimony to the importance that India attaches to its close and friendly relations with the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the press release said.
