Sri Lanka PM Harini Amarasuriya Begins Three-Day India Visit to Deepen Bilateral Ties

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya touched down in New Delhi on Thursday for her first official visit to India since assuming office last year, signalling a renewed commitment to deepening ties between the two neighbouring nations. The three-day itinerary, spanning October 16 to 18, underscores India's "Neighbourhood First" policy and the "MAHASAGAR Vision" for holistic regional advancement, as articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his April 2025 trip to Colombo. Coming just days after Amarasuriya's engagements in Beijing, including a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the visit highlights Sri Lanka's balanced foreign policy amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean region.

Amarasuriya's packed schedule kicks off with high-level diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday afternoon, followed by discussions with Prime Minister Modi on Friday. These talks are expected to cover a broad spectrum of bilateral issues, with emphasis on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, education, development, and technology sectors.

As Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery post-2022 crisis—bolstered by India's over $4 billion in aid, including credit lines and currency swaps—the agenda may address further debt restructuring amendments and joint initiatives for sustainable growth. Amarasuriya, an anthropologist and former academic, expressed enthusiasm ahead of the trip: "India and Sri Lanka are bound by history, culture, and shared values... I look forward to strengthening our cooperation in every sphere."

In addition to political dialogues, the visit features institutional outreach tailored to Amarasuriya's background as Sri Lanka's education minister. She is slated to visit the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and NITI Aayog to explore collaborative opportunities in higher education, innovation, and technological advancement, potentially including student exchanges and joint research programmes. As an alumna of Hindu College at the University of Delhi—where she studied in the 1980s—Amarasuriya will also revisit her alma mater for a special event, fostering people-to-people connections that underpin the enduring India-Sri Lanka bond.

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This exchange builds on a series of recent interactions, including Modi's Colombo visit that launched capacity-building for 700 Sri Lankans annually and grant assistance for cultural sites like the Thirukoneswaram Temple. It also coincides with positive developments, such as the repatriation of four Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan custody on Thursday, amid ongoing efforts to resolve maritime disputes.

Analysts view the trip as a strategic affirmation of India's role as Sri Lanka's closest ally, countering influences from other powers while promoting mutual security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. As Amarasuriya departs on October 18, her visit is poised to yield tangible outcomes, reinforcing the multifaceted partnership that dates back centuries.

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