• The Indian Minister also discussed Indian investments, development projects, connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial cooperation in different spheres

By Kelum Bandara

High-profile visits often highlight serious discussions, but they also have lighter, more human moments that slip under the radar. Such was the case when Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena met with visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Thursday. 

Amid bilateral discussion, Dr. Jaishankar discussed how gruelling it was for his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to campaign for the recently concluded elections in extreme weather conditions, with some areas sweltering under 50 degrees Celsius heat and other areas being drenched by heavy rain.

The Prime Minister congratulated him on the electoral victory, and the Indian Minister reciprocated with greetings for the upcoming elections in Sri Lanka.

Minister Jaishankar said that neighbours like Sri Lanka are extremely important to India and there is tremendous goodwill for Sri Lanka in India. He said the Indian government reaffirms the ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’ and the main purpose of his visit is to underline India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbour and time-tested friend.

The Prime Minister and the Indian Minister discussed Indian investments, development projects, connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial cooperation in different spheres.

The Indian delegation included Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, Additional Secretary (Indian Ocean Region) Puneet Agarwal and Joint Secretary Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu of the Ministry of External Affairs and Deputy High Commissioner Satyanjal Pandey.

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda, MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, Prime Minister’s Advisor Sugeeswara Senadhira and Director General (South Asia) of the Foreign Ministry Niluka Kaduragamuwa were also present on this occasion.