Indian Defence Minister to visit SL early next month

• Plans to travel to Trincomalee where India seeks strategic foothold   
• Visit takes place ahead of Chinese research vessel arrival

By Kelum Bandara   
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Sri Lanka early next month and travel to Trincomalee where India has embarked on strategic investments with the final aim of establishing a pipeline linking the two countries for the transfer of petroleum products, Daily Mirror learns.  

He is expected to be in the country either on September 2 or 3, according to an informed source.  During the visit, he will hold talks with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake.  
The visit holds significance because it takes place in the context of Sri Lanka and India having agreed at the highest level to implement connectivity projects including a land bridge and the interconnection of the national grids .  
Besides, the Indian minister’s visit has been timed ahead of the planned arrival of a Chinese research vessel ‘Shi Yan 6’. India has already raised concerns about it . However, Sri Lanka is yet to give permission for the Chinese ship’s visit.