New Delhi, Dec 15 (NationPress) The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, has landed in New Delhi this Sunday for a three-day diplomatic visit, which is his inaugural trip abroad since he took office in September.

According to Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, a post on X stated, “A warm and special welcome! President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka was graciously received by Minister of State Dr. L Murugan upon his arrival in New Delhi. This visit marks President Dissanayaka’s first bilateral engagement with India since assuming the presidency, serving as a vital opportunity to enhance India-Sri Lanka relations and bolster the people-centric partnership.”

Throughout his stay, Dissanayaka is set to engage with President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi concerning bilateral matters of shared interest.

Additionally, President Dissanayaka will take part in a business event in Delhi aimed at fostering investment and commercial ties between India and Sri Lanka. He is also scheduled to visit Bodh Gaya during this trip.

Sri Lanka is recognized as India's closest maritime neighbor within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and plays a pivotal role in the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) alongside India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

President Dissanayaka's trip to India is anticipated to further reinforce the multifaceted and mutually advantageous collaboration between the two nations.

This visit follows an invitation from External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, extended during his trip to Colombo earlier this year, soon after the National People's Power (NPP) party assumed power.

During his one-day visit to Colombo on October 4, Jaishankar met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing India's firm commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation grounded in its Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR approach.

In his discussions with President Dissanayaka, the EAM outlined ongoing projects related to energy production and transmission, fuel and LNG supply, solar electrification of sacred sites, connectivity, digital public infrastructure, health, and dairy development. He emphasized that these initiatives would enhance economic sustainability and create new revenue channels.

President Dissanayaka has indicated that India's economic assistance is vital for realizing his vision of a thriving Sri Lanka and fulfilling the aspirations of its citizens. He mentioned the potential for exporting renewable energy to India, which could decrease production costs in Sri Lanka and generate additional resources.