Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (08) on a three-day official visit, is scheduled to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning for high-level discussions at the Presidential Secretariat.
Singh arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday afternoon and was received by Deputy Minister of Defence Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekara (Retd.) and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.
The visit, which continues until September 10, is focused on further strengthening defence cooperation and bilateral ties between India and Sri Lanka.
During his stay, Singh is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha and other senior officials.
Indian media reports said the visit is also expected to include discussions on the implementation of the India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation agreement signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka last year.
Singh’s visit marks the first visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
Meanwhile, the Colombo Traffic Division has introduced a special traffic plan for the duration of the visit, with temporary restrictions expected on several major roads as Singh travels to various locations in Colombo.
Speaking at a community reception held in Colombo yesterday, Singh assured Sri Lanka of India’s continued support, saying New Delhi would stand firmly with Sri Lanka whenever the country faces a crisis.
Describing Sri Lanka as a “very close friend”, Singh highlighted the deep-rooted and civilisational ties between the two countries and stressed the importance of maintaining strong relations with neighbouring nations.
He said India regarded its neighbours as family and noted that while friendships could change, neighbouring countries would remain connected by geography and shared interests. Singh also expressed his appreciation for meeting members of the Indian community in Sri Lanka.