The visit of the Honourable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ms. Harini Amarasuriya, to India marked an important milestone in the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between the two neighbours. Her engagements in New Delhi reflected a renewed commitment to cooperation grounded in shared history, mutual respect, and a collective aspiration for regional development.
A key highlight of the visit was her meeting with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, at his official residence. The discussions between the two leaders spanned a broad spectrum of areas, including education, women’s empowerment, innovation, development cooperation, and the welfare of fisher communities along both coastlines. Prime Minister Modi expressed his delight in welcoming Ms. Amarasuriya, emphasising that “as close neighbours, our cooperation holds immense importance for the prosperity of our two peoples as well as the shared region.” His remarks reaffirmed India’s consistent commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s developmental priorities and advancing collaborative initiatives that benefit both societies.
The Sri Lankan side, too, conveyed deep appreciation for India’s role in the region. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to India noted that Sri Lanka has been studying the Gujarat model of development for insights on governance, public administration, and service delivery. He highlighted that India’s experiences in infrastructure growth, entrepreneurship, and social welfare continue to serve as valuable reference points for Sri Lanka as it pursues economic reforms and long-term stability.
During her visit, Prime Minister Amarasuriya also interacted with several distinguished members of India’s diplomatic and economic community. Among these engagements was a meeting with the leadership of the Global Trade & Technology Council (India) on the sidelines of a forum in New Delhi. Dr. Rashmi Saluja, Chairperson of GTTCI, Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Founder President, and Mr. Rakesh Asthana, Chief Advisor, had the privilege of meeting her and exchanging perspectives on strengthening cooperation in trade, technology, tourism, healthcare, and investment facilitation. The interaction provided an encouraging foundation for expanding collaborative opportunities between Indian and Sri Lankan stakeholders.
Dr. Saluja’s remarks on India–Sri Lanka relations reflect a deep understanding of the enduring ties between the two nations. She observes that the relationship is not solely grounded in diplomatic engagement but is shaped by centuries of civilisational connection—through cultural exchange, shared spiritual traditions, and longstanding maritime linkages. According to her, India and Sri Lanka have consistently demonstrated an ability to support each other during both challenging and transformative phases, embodying a partnership built on goodwill, trust, and shared aspirations. Dr. Saluja also believes that in an era of regional change, cooperation in areas such as education, healthcare innovation, women-led development, and sustainable economic growth will play an essential role in reinforcing stability across South Asia.
The note from the Sri Lankan Ambassador further underscored the depth of goodwill that defines contemporary India–Sri Lanka ties. He expressed confidence that the Prime Minister’s visit would not only strengthen bilateral frameworks but also inspire wider engagement between institutions, industry bodies, and communities across both countries.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s visit thus stands as a reaffirmation of the timeless friendship between the two nations. The sincerity and warmth that characterised her interactions in New Delhi highlight a shared determination to expand economic opportunity, preserve cultural bonds, and advance a peaceful and prosperous regional future. As India and Sri Lanka continue to enhance cooperation across multiple fronts, this visit has set a positive and constructive tone for the next chapter of their partnership.
