India’s relationship with Sri Lanka rooted in geographical proximity, historical connections: Ministry of External Affairs

Briefing media in New Delhi today, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India’s multi-faceted relationship with Sri Lanka stands on its own footing and is rooted in geographical proximity and historical connections.

He said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Colombo as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister a few days ago to convey Prime Minister’s greetings to the newly elected President of Sri Lanka. Shri Jaishankar delivered Mr Modi’s Letter of Congratulations and extended an invitation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit India. The Sri Lankan President has accepted the invitation and will be on a state visit to India on 29th and 30th of this month.

The External Affairs Minister discussed India’s close and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, including ways to further strengthen this in coming years. He conveyed to President Rajapaksa India’s expectation that the Sri Lankan Government will take forward the process of national reconciliation to arrive at a solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity, the MEA spokesperson said.