New Sri Lankan President To Visit India In His First Foreign Trip As Jaishankar’s Proactive Diplomacy Outpaces China

Sri Lankan President Anura Dissanayake is set to embark on his first international visit to India from 15 to 17 December, a move underscoring the strategic significance of India-Sri Lanka relations amid growing Chinese influence in the island nation.

Sri Lanka's Cabinet spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed the visit, stating that President Dissanayake will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu.

The President will be accompanied by key officials, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, signaling the importance of this diplomatic engagement.

This marks Dissanayake's first overseas trip since his election in September, following his party's historic parliamentary victory in November, New Indian Express reported.

The invitation was extended by India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who was the first foreign dignitary to visit Colombo after Dissanayake assumed office, highlighting India's proactive approach in fostering bilateral relations.

India has been keen to counter China's growing footprint in Sri Lanka, which includes substantial investments in large-scale infrastructure projects.

While New Delhi has ramped up its own development initiatives in the island nation, China remains Sri Lanka's largest bilateral lender, accounting for a significant share of its debt.

The visit gains added importance as Sri Lanka continues to recover from its 2022 financial crisis, during which it defaulted on $46 billion in foreign debt.

With President Dissanayake also expected to visit Beijing next month, his trip to New Delhi reflects a delicate balancing act, navigating relations with two major powers vying for influence in the region.

India’s role as a key partner in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and strategic stability is expected to be a central theme during the discussions, reaffirming the critical nature of this high-level engagement.