Anura Kumara Dissanayake is visiting India for the second time in merely 10 months, however, this time he has arrived on a 3-day State visit in the capacity of President of Sri Lanka.
The last time Dissanayake visited New Delhi was when he headed a National People’s Power (NPP) delegation and that time there was a lot of chatter of a quick change in the political landscape of Sri Lanka and him becoming the next president of India’s neighbouring nation.
Dissanayake, who defeated the traditional political parties governed by the political elite, assumed office in September and now the 55-year-old Marxist leader chose India as the destination of his first overseas trip after coming to power.
The Sri Lankan President is accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando.
Upon his arrival on Sunday evening, Dissanayake was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan at the Delhi airport.
Sri Lanka President in India, what’s on agenda?
Hold talks with PM Modi
On Monday (December 16), Dissanayake will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the meeting of the two leaders, India and Sri Lanka are expected to sign four pacts, including one on cybersecurity.
Dissanayake’s discussions with PM Modi will concentrate on key areas including trade, investment, energy, and maritime security.
The talks between PM Modi and Dissanayake will lead to a greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo, said External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar, who met the Sri Lankan President on Sunday.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/world/sri-lanka-president-dissanayake-india-visit-meet-pm-modi-jaishankar-nsa-ajit-doval-13844734.html.
