External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, on Sunday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is on a three-day state visit to New Delhi, and highlighted the “island nation’s prominent role in India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook”.

He further affirmed confidence that President Dissanayake’s talks with Prime Minister Modi on Monday will lead to greater cooperation between New Delhi and Colombo.

This marks President Dissanayake’s first official visit to India since taking office in September.

“Pleased to call on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the start of his first State Visit to India. Sri Lanka is key to both India’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR Outlook. Confident that the talks with PM Narendra Modi tomorrow will lead to greater trust and deeper cooperation,” the EAM said in a post on X.

Earlier, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake said he held “fruitful discussions on the matters of mutual interest” during his meetings with EAM Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

“Arrived in New Delhi today (December 15) at approximately 5:30 p.m., warmly welcomed by L. Murugan, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and other distinguished officials. Held fruitful discussions tonight with S. Jaishankar and Ajit Doval on matters of mutual interest,” Dissanayake wrote on X.

President Dissanayake arrived in India on a state visit on Sunday.

He was received by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan. During his visit from December 15 to 17, Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit.