EAM S Jaishankar to visit Sri Lanka for strengthening bilateral ties with new leadership

New Delhi: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to visit Sri Lanka on Friday to meet newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, marking the first high-level engagement between the two countries since Dissanayake’s election in September. The visit underscores India's "Neighbourhood First Policy" and aims to deepen bilateral ties. Jaishankar’s discussions will focus on maintaining India's strategic interests, especially concerning projects led by Indian firms. Dissanayake's National People’s Power (NPP) victory reshaped Sri Lanka’s political landscape, with India proactively engaging to reinforce diplomatic ties.

India’s neighbourhood first policy in action

Jaishankar’s visit aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, which aims to enhance ties with neighboring nations. The visit also signals India’s intent to build stronger diplomatic and economic relations with Sri Lanka amidst its new leadership. Notably, India provided crucial financial aid during Sri Lanka's economic crisis, contributing nearly $4 billion in support.

Strategic engagement and new leadership dynamics

While the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Dissanayake’s party, has historically been perceived as anti-India, recent engagements signal a shift. Dissanayake, emphasizing that Sri Lanka seeks balanced relations with both India and China, has clarified that Sri Lanka wants to avoid being caught between the two nations. His stance indicates a nuanced approach to foreign policy, where both India and China are seen as important allies.