Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at his residence in New Delhi on October 17, 2025, marking her first official visit to India since taking office in 2024. The leaders engaged in wide-ranging discussions focusing on education, women’s empowerment, innovation, development cooperation, and the welfare of fishermen, underscoring the deep ties between the two nations. The meeting set the stage for their participation later that evening at the NDTV World Summit, a high-profile global forum hosted at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, aimed at addressing pressing international challenges.
The bilateral talks highlighted the significance of India-Sri Lanka cooperation, with PM Modi emphasising its role in fostering prosperity for both nations and the broader region. Posting on X, Modi noted, “As close neighbours, our cooperation holds immense importance for the prosperity of our two peoples as well as the shared region.” The discussions come at a time when both countries are navigating economic and geopolitical uncertainties, with Sri Lanka recovering from a severe financial crisis in 2022 and India strengthening its position as a regional leader. The focus on fishermen’s welfare reflects ongoing efforts to address maritime disputes, including fishing rights in the Palk Strait, a sensitive issue for both nations.
Amarasuriya, a former academic and a key figure in Sri Lanka’s progressive leadership, is set to address the NDTV World Summit on its opening day, speaking on the theme “Steering Change in Uncertain Times”. The two-day summit, themed “Edge of the Unknown: Risk. Resolve. Renewal”, brings together global leaders, policymakers, and thinkers to discuss innovative solutions to challenges like economic resilience and regional stability.
In a pre-summit video message, Amarasuriya expressed her intent to share Sri Lanka’s perspectives on international cooperation, stating, “I hope to contribute to meaningful conversations on the pressing challenges of our region and the world.” Her participation underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to engaging with global platforms as it rebuilds its economy and international standing.
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The NDTV World Summit serves as a critical venue for fostering dialogue amid a volatile global landscape, with issues like climate change, technological disruption, and geopolitical tensions at the forefront. The event’s emphasis on “resolve” and “renewal” aligns with India’s push for collaborative frameworks in the Global South, while Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen ties with its northern neighbour. As Modi and Amarasuriya join other global voices at Bharat Mandapam, their discussions are expected to shape bilateral and regional strategies, reinforcing the enduring partnership between New Delhi and Colombo in navigating an uncertain future.
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