Sri Lankan PM Harini Amarasuriya Embarks on First Official Visit to India
Photo Credit: Reuters via The Hindu
New Delhi, October 16, 2025 — Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya is set to arrive in India on Thursday for a two-day official visit, marking her first trip to the country since assuming office, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Wednesday.
During her visit, which will last until October 18, PM Amarasuriya is scheduled to meet senior Indian leaders to discuss bilateral cooperation, explore avenues in education, technology, innovation, and trade, and reinforce ties between the two nations.
Key Engagements and Itinerary
The Prime Minister will deliver the keynote address at the NDTV World Summit, jointly organised by NDTV and the Chintan Research Foundation in New Delhi. In addition, she will visit the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and NITI Aayog to explore collaborations in technology, innovation, and education.
A distinguished alumna of Hindu College, University of Delhi, Amarasuriya will also return to her alma mater for a ceremonial visit. Scheduled activities include a Guard of Honour presented by 16 NCC cadets, a symbolic tree plantation, and cultural performances by students at the Sanganeria Auditorium.
She will also attend a business event aimed at strengthening trade and commercial linkages between India and Sri Lanka, highlighting economic collaboration as a key pillar of the visit.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
According to the MEA, the visit underscores the multi-faceted bilateral partnership between India and Sri Lanka, aligned with India’s ‘MAHASAGAR Vision’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. “The visit continues the tradition of regular high-level exchanges, advancing the deep and multi-faceted bilateral partnership between our nations,” the ministry stated.
Earlier in September, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi met PM Amarasuriya in Colombo to discuss enhancing maritime cooperation and defence ties. During those talks, the Sri Lankan leader stressed the strategic importance of the ocean for maritime nations and highlighted the need for collective efforts to safeguard shared resources.
Amarasuriya also discussed joint initiatives to counter transnational challenges, including anti-narcotics operations, illegal and unregulated fishing, marine pollution, and terrorism at sea. She emphasised closer coordination in search and rescue missions, stronger information sharing, and the expansion of training ties between the Indian and Sri Lankan navies. The Indian Navy described the meeting as a reflection of a shared vision to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean Region.
Building on Earlier High-Level Agreements
The visit follows several high-level engagements earlier this year. In April 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake signed multiple key agreements in Colombo, covering defence cooperation and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub.
Other memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed included:
- HVDC Interconnection for import/export of power
- Cooperation in digital solutions for population-scale transformation
- Multi-sectoral grant assistance for Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province
- Collaboration in health and medicine, including pharmacopoeial cooperation
PM Modi also announced a comprehensive capacity-building programme in India for 700 Sri Lankans annually, as well as India’s grant assistance for temple and heritage development projects, including Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya Temple in Nuwara Eliya, and the Sacred City Complex in Anuradhapura. Additionally, the exposition of Lord Buddha relics in Sri Lanka on International Vesak Day 2025 and bilateral debt restructuring agreements were finalised.
Why This Visit Matters
This visit is significant for both nations, as India and Sri Lanka continue to deepen cooperation in strategic, economic, educational, and cultural domains. With growing regional maritime security concerns, collaborative efforts between the two navies and governmental agencies are likely to be central to discussions.
For India, the visit reinforces its commitment to regional stability and development in the Indian Ocean, while for Sri Lanka, it provides an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and secure support in key areas like technology, trade, and capacity-building.
Final Thoughts — TheTrendingPeople.com
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya’s visit is poised to enhance India-Sri Lanka relations across multiple sectors. From maritime security to economic collaboration, and from education to cultural ties, the visit underscores the deep-rooted friendship and strategic alignment between the two nations. Observers will closely watch the outcomes of high-level engagements, particularly in defence and technological cooperation, as the countries navigate shared challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.