1st post-Covid visit to India

President Ranil Wickremesinghe's two-day visit to India is his first to the neighbouring country since becoming President, and it is expected to see India announce a multi-sectoral grant package. 

 

 

This visit marks the first physical interaction between India and Sri Lanka leaders post-Covid-19. Wickremesinghe and his Ministerial delegation will meet with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other high-ranking officials. 

 

 

The visit is part of Sri Lanka's recalibration of its foreign policy, signalling closer ties with India, especially on security-related matters. India has significantly supported Sri Lanka during the Covid-19 pandemic and economic challenges. 

 

 

The two countries have been collaborating on energy security and infrastructure development projects. Several large-scale renewable energy initiatives and the Trincomalee oil tank farm joint venture are in progress, with a proposed oil and fuel pipeline from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. 

 

 

India also assured financial support to the International Monetary Fund on behalf of Sri Lanka. During the Presidential visit, certain acting ministerial appointments have been made to cover the President's absence.