Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently visited India for his first official trip as head of state, aiming to strengthen relations between the two countries. He met with key Indian officials, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, discussing ways to enhance economic cooperation, investment opportunities, and regional security.
Dissanayake emphasized the importance of Indo-Sri Lanka economic collaboration, focusing on sectors like tourism and energy. He stated that these discussions reaffirm the commitment to deepening the partnership between Sri Lanka and India.

India has been concerned about China’s increasing influence in Sri Lanka and has ramped up its infrastructure projects in the country. While China remains Sri Lanka’s largest bilateral lender, Dissanayake is also expected to visit Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders in early 2025.
Sri Lanka faced a severe financial crisis in 2022, struggling to pay for essential imports and defaulting on $46 billion in foreign debt. The ongoing discussions with India are seen as crucial for Sri Lanka’s recovery and future economic stability.