EAM Jaishankar Meets President Wickremesinghe, India-Sri Lanka Ink 3 Pacts

Jaishankar, who is in Colombo for the Indian Ocean Rim Association's (IORA) 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting, met with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat.

India and Sri Lanka signed three bilateral agreements after extensive discussions with President Wickremesinghe.

India and Sri Lanka signed three agreements on Wednesday to promote greater cooperation between the two countries, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo and held "extensive discussions" aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. Jaishankar, who is in Colombo for the Indian Ocean Rim Association's (IORA) 23rd Council of Ministers Meeting, met with President Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat.

"Called on President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe today evening in Colombo. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi. Discussed the progress in taking the India-Sri Lanka relationship forward across the many domains of our cooperation," Jaishankar said in an X post.

EAM @DrSJaishankar's call on President H.E @RW_UNP was a testimony to millennia old ties and the comprehensive nature of development partnership between 🇮🇳and🇱🇰 -a series of agreements,virtual inauguration of close to 250 houses and unveiling of a joint logo. Key takeaways: (1/ pic.twitter.com/XPUCS7bddD

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) October 11, 2023

They engaged in "extensive discussions aimed at enhancing the relationship" between India and Sri Lanka during their meeting, news agency PTI reported citing Sri Lankan President's office. 

In addition, three new bilateral agreements were signed to promote greater cooperation between the two countries, according to the statement.

Taking to X, Jaishankar said, "Glad to witness the exchange of agreements and inaugurate projects in presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening at the President Secretariat." "These projects in social housing, community development and dairy sectors will improve the ease of living of Sri Lankans," he added.

According to the minister, India and Sri Lanka have also unveiled a logo commemorating the 75th anniversary of "our diplomatic relationship today."

He said the image of the logo on X "captures our deep historical, cultural, and people-to-people bonds."

The High Commission of India in Colombo shared several photographs of the meeting in a series of posts on X, saying it "was a testimony to millennia old ties and the comprehensive nature of development partnership between India and Sri Lanka."

During the meeting, there were "a series of agreements, virtual inauguration of close to 250 houses, and the unveiling of a joint logo," according to the statement.

EAM @DrSJaishankar's call on President H.E @RW_UNP was a testimony to millennia old ties and the comprehensive nature of development partnership between 🇮🇳and🇱🇰 -a series of agreements,virtual inauguration of close to 250 houses and unveiling of a joint logo. Key takeaways: (1/ pic.twitter.com/XPUCS7bddD

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) October 11, 2023

Among the "key takeaways" were the following: "tripling of unit cost of a house under Phase-4 of Indian Housing Project, for the construction of 10,000 houses in plantation areas." "It is expected that 1,300 houses will be built soon." According to the High Commission, there was an infusion of up to 50% more funds in nine ongoing grant projects.

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), India's largest FMCG brand Amul, Cargills (Ceylon) PLC, and Sri Lanka's leading retail and FMCG company listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange signed a Joint Venture Shareholders Agreement "towards strengthening Sri Lanka's dairy sector in achieving self sufficiency," the statement said.

The High Commission listed the "virtual inaugurations" as "126 houses in Badulla, Matale, and Matara districts under Phase-3 of the Indian Housing Project." Approximately 3750/4000 were handed over. Model Village Housing Project has built 48 houses in the districts of Matale and Puttalam. 600 houses are being built in #lka's 25 districts. Gramme Shakthi Projects have built 64 houses in the Hambantota and Jaffna districts. Under the Project, 1800 houses are being built in these two provinces." A joint logo was also unveiled to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two maritime neighbours, according to the statement.

Jaishankar arrived in Colombo on Monday evening to attend the IORA Council of Ministers meeting, the organization's highest decision-making body. IORA is the largest and pre-eminent organisation in the Indian Ocean Region, with 23 members and 10 dialogue partners.

At the meeting, India was elected Vice Chair of IORA for 2023-25, with a view to becoming Chair in 2025-27.

This was his second visit to Sri Lanka in 2023.