Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sri Lanka under its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR during a one-day visit to Colombo….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India’s “unwavering commitment” to Sri Lanka under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR during a one-day official visit to Colombo on Wednesday, as the two neighbours reviewed progress on a wide range of development, connectivity and economic cooperation projects.
The visit, Misri’s first standalone trip to Sri Lanka as Foreign Secretary, included meetings with President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa, and representatives of the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil communities.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), both sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the progress of several ongoing projects.
They welcomed the conclusion of agreements on two Indian rupee-denominated Lines of Credit worth USD 250 million for railway projects and USD 100 million for livestock and other priority requirements. The agreements between the Export-Import Bank of India and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance were exchanged in the presence of President Disanayaka.
The two countries also reviewed progress under the USD 450 million reconstruction package announced after Cyclone Ditwah. Reconstruction of damaged houses and permanent bridges under the USD 100 million grant component is expected to begin shortly.
The MEA said progress had also been made on supplying medical equipment to the relocated Deniyaya Hospital, establishing medical kiosks across Sri Lanka, providing equipment to educational institutions, and implementing an island-wide disaster warning system. Rehabilitation of the Northern Railway corridor under a USD 5 million grant has also been completed, with train services resuming.
The discussions covered efforts to accelerate implementation of major energy initiatives, including the electricity grid interconnection project, the Sampur solar power project and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub.
Both sides also agreed to expedite the tender process for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project and begin discussions on a memorandum of understanding for the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kankesanthurai harbour under a USD 61.5 million grant.
Recalling commitments made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, the two countries agreed to conclude an MoU for expanding the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service at the earliest. They also noted that more than 1,000 Sri Lankan professionals had benefited from India’s capacity-building initiative launched during the Prime Minister’s visit.
Misri also urged Sri Lanka to speed up implementation of projects for the Indian Origin Tamil community, including the construction of 10,000 houses announced during Prime Minister Modi’s 2017 visit.
Economic cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions. Both countries welcomed the decision to advance negotiations on updating the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement following preliminary discussions in June and noted the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-Sri Lanka Social Security Agreement, which is expected to be signed after the completion of domestic procedures.
The issue of Indian fishermen also figured during the visit. Misri requested Sri Lanka’s cooperation for the early release of detained fishermen and fishing boats and said that, while bilateral mechanisms continued to seek a long-term solution, a humanitarian approach keeping in view the livelihood requirements of fishermen should continue to guide both sides.
The Foreign Secretary also called on the Sri Lankan leadership to fulfil its commitment to hold Provincial Council elections at the earliest and to fully implement the country’s constitutional provisions to address the aspirations of the Tamil community.
The MEA said Misri welcomed President Disanayaka’s assurance, contained in the December 2024 Joint Statement, that Sri Lankan territory would not be allowed to be used in any manner inimical to India’s security, describing it as a strong foundation for expanding the bilateral partnership.
The ministry said the visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to implementing the vision outlined in the December 2024 Joint Statement and the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025.
