Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri paid an official visit to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties under its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR while reviewing progress on key connectivity, infrastructure, energy and development projects.
The visit marked Misri’s first standalone trip to Sri Lanka since assuming office as Foreign Secretary. He had previously visited the island nation as part of the Indian delegations accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2025 and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in April 2026.
During the visit, Misri called on Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath. He also held discussions with Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, met Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, and interacted separately with leaders of the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil communities.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation and expressed satisfaction over the progress made in implementing several India-assisted projects. They welcomed the conclusion of agreements for two Indian rupee-denominated Lines of Credit worth USD 250 million for railway projects and USD 100 million for livestock and other priority requirements. The agreements between the EXIM Bank of India and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance were exchanged in the presence of President Disanayaka.
Both countries also noted that reconstruction of damaged houses and permanent bridges under the USD 450 million Ditwah Reconstruction Package, including a USD 100 million grant, would commence shortly. Progress was also reviewed on supplying medical equipment for the relocated Deniyaya Hospital, installation of medical kiosks, equipment for educational institutions, and the proposed island-wide disaster warning system. Rehabilitation of the Northern Railway corridor, supported through a USD 5 million grant, has been completed and train services have resumed.
Energy cooperation featured prominently during the discussions, with both sides agreeing to expedite implementation of the electricity grid interconnection project, the Sampur solar power project, and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub. They also agreed to accelerate the tender process for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project and begin discussions on an MoU for the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kankesanthurai Harbour, to be implemented through a USD 61.5 million grant.
The MEA said that the two countries also agreed to expedite the proposed expansion of the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service, a commitment made during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. They noted that India’s capacity-building initiative announced during that visit had already trained more than 1,000 Sri Lankan professionals across various sectors in its first year.
Misri also urged Sri Lanka to speed up implementation of projects for the Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) community, including the construction of 10,000 houses announced during Prime Minister Modi’s 2017 visit, while acknowledging progress in Phase IV of the Indian Housing Project for the plantation community.
On the economic front, both sides welcomed the resumption of discussions on updating the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement following initial talks held in June this year. They also welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-Sri Lanka Social Security Agreement, which is expected to be signed after both countries complete their internal procedures.
The Foreign Secretary also raised issues concerning Indian fishermen and sought Sri Lanka’s cooperation for the early release of detained fishermen and fishing boats. He stressed the need for a humanitarian approach while bilateral mechanisms continue to address the long-standing fisheries issue.
During his meetings, Misri also called for the early conduct of Provincial Council elections and the full implementation of Sri Lanka’s constitutional provisions to meet the aspirations of the Tamil community. He welcomed President Disanayaka’s assurance, reiterated in the December 2024 Joint Statement, that Sri Lankan territory would not be allowed to be used in any manner detrimental to India’s security.
The MEA said that the visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to implementing the vision outlined in the December 2024 Joint Statement issued during President Disanayaka’s visit to India and the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, further strengthening the comprehensive partnership between the two neighbouring countries.
