Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to stronger cooperation on regional security, peace and development. The meeting took place during Singh’s three-day visit to Sri Lanka, marking the first visit by an Indian defence minister to the island nation in 38 years.

The discussions focused on bilateral relations and closer cooperation between India and Sri Lanka as maritime neighbours. The two countries also discussed ways to work together to strengthen regional safety, security, peace and prosperity.

“We reaffirmed that as civilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partners, India and Sri Lanka would continue to work together for the development of our countries and welfare of our people as well as work jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of our region,” Singh said.

After the meeting, Singh shared details of his interaction with President Dissanayake on X. “Had a warm and extremely productive meeting with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka in Colombo today," Singh posted on X.

"I conveyed to him greetings on behalf of PM Narendra Modi and extended felicitations on successful completion of two years of his government,” he added.

Singh also met Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa during his visit. Premadasa described India as a “very close partner” and highlighted New Delhi’s support for Sri Lanka during some of its most difficult periods. He praised India for extending assistance during the country’s economic crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and Cyclone Ditwah.

"My meeting with Rajnath Singh was very constructive, very progressive. We have a very strong relationship with India. It is a special relationship. We are very close partners," Premadasa said. He said India had repeatedly stepped forward to support Sri Lanka during times of crisis and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for following through on his commitments.

"India has always been the first responder. And Prime Minister Modi has always walked the talk. India has been the first responder in supporting Sri Lanka during Ditwah, during times of bankruptcy, and during the Corona health hazard," he added.

Premadasa also called for stronger economic engagement between the two countries. He said Sri Lanka wanted India to become its largest export destination and supported balanced free trade that served the interests of both nations.

"We would love to have India as our largest export destination. We promote balanced free trade. We promote trade that is of mutual interest. So we will continue on that path," he said.

The Sri Lankan Opposition Leader said cooperation between the two countries had grown across several areas in recent years. These include development assistance, trade, commercial activities, business engagement, people-to-people relations and government-level cooperation.

"In recent times, the cooperation between our two countries in all spheres, in development aid, economic, commercial, business, people-to-people, government-to-government, non-governmental to government, in all its facets, we have had a very special relationship, a productive relationship that has fulfilled our mutual interests," he said.

Premadasa said India and Sri Lanka should continue to deepen their partnership while respecting each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. He stressed that stronger cooperation should benefit both countries and support their long-term growth.

"We hope to ensure that our relationship grows in a manner that protects each of our countries' sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence, and also to ensure that we enjoy the fruits of growth," Premadasa said.

The meetings in Colombo came a day after Singh reiterated India’s commitment to stand with Sri Lanka whenever the island nation faces a crisis. Addressing the Indian diaspora on Tuesday, the Defence Minister referred to the deep historical, cultural and religious links shared by the two countries.

"India will always stand firmly with Sri Lanka whenever the island nation faces a crisis," Singh said during the interaction.

Singh’s visit is highly significant as it is the first by an Indian defence minister to Sri Lanka in nearly four decades. His visit reflects the growing importance of defence and security cooperation between the two maritime neighbours. The discussions during the visit focused on strengthening bilateral ties and building closer coordination on issues linked to regional security and stability.

India and Sri Lanka share close geographical, historical and cultural connections. Their relationship has also expanded across economic, development and security sectors over the years. India has remained an important partner for Sri Lanka and has provided support during several major crises.

Singh is leading a high-level Indian delegation during his three-day visit. The delegation includes senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of External Affairs. The visit is expected to strengthen engagement between the two countries and reinforce their commitment to cooperation in security, economic development and regional stability.