‘1st responder’: Premadasa hails India-Sri Lanka ties

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, as the two nations pledged to deepen cooperation on regional security during Singh's three-day visit to Sri Lanka. The visit marked the first time an Indian defence minister had travelled to Sri Lanka in 38 years. Both countries discussed bilateral ties and collaboration on regional security, peace, and development.

Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa separately commended India's support during the country's economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, and Cyclone Ditwa. Premadasa called for stronger economic ties with India, expressing a desire for the island nation to become Sri Lanka's largest export destination. Premadasa believed that India had been the first responder in supporting Sri Lanka during challenging times.

The meeting aimed to strengthen the already strong relationship between India and Sri Lanka, described by Premadasa as a special relationship built on close partnership and shared civilizational ties. Both countries discussed the expansion of cooperation across development assistance, trade, business, government-to-government engagement, and people-to-people ties.