Handshakes & a promise to boost ties: Scenes from Sri Lankan President Dissanayake’s 1st India visit

New Delhi: Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is in India on a three-day visit—his first foreign trip—from 15 December to 17 December. On Monday, he held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he said that Sri Lankan territory will not be used “in any way, in a manner which is detrimental to India”.

The issue of fishermen and fishing rights, defence, renewable energy, and connectivity also figured in the talks between Dissanayake and Modi. The Indian prime minister described the “physical, digital and energy connectivity” as important pillars of ties between India and Sri Lanka.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also called on the Sri Lankan president Sunday evening.

Dissanayake received a ceremonial welcome Monday morning at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and Modi. He also paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat earlier in the morning.

Dissanayake was elected to power in September this year, while his party the National People’s Power, was elected with a large majority in the Parliament in November.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

PM Modi and Sri Lankan President Dissanayake held bilateral talks Monday | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcome Dissanayake during the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

PM Modi accorded a warm welcome to the Sri Lankan president, saying that India is delighted that he chose New Delhi for his first state visit | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

President Droupadi Murmu greeting bureaucrats during the ceremonial reception of the Sri Lankan president at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

In his meeting with PM Modi, Dissanayake spoke about finding a solution to the issue of fishermen and fishing rights, which he called a “plague” on the ties between the two countries | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Dissanayake said that he thanked India for its financial support and hoped to see a deepening of the technical cooperation, as discussed by the two leaders | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Kshenuka Senewiratne and Senior Sri Lankan Naval officer Indika De Silva speak before the ceremonial reception | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

President Murmu and PM Modi showing the way to Sri Lankan President Dissanayake for the guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

President Murmu greets Dissanayake after the ceremonial reception | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

President Murmu speaks to Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

President Murmu and PM Modi wait for the arrival of Dissanayake at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

 

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, with others at Rashtrapati Bhavan | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

PM Modi received by External Affairs Mnister S. Jaishnakar | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Sri Lankan President Dissanayake address at the press meet after the meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Modi with Dissanayake during the press meet at Hyderabad house | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar listening to the Dissanayake’s speech during the press meet | Praveen Jain | ThePrint

Jaishankar with Principal Secretary to PM, P.K. Mishra, at the press meet | Praveen Jain | ThePrint