Union Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to begin an official visit to Sri Lanka on June 20, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announcement on Wednesday. During his trip, the External Affairs Minister will engage in discussions with Sri Lankan leaders on a range of partnership issues between the two nations.
“This will be EAM’s first bilateral visit after the formation of a new Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the MEA stated in an official release.
Jaishankar’s visit underscores India’s ongoing commitment to Sri Lanka, its nearest maritime neighbor. The MEA emphasized, “Reaffirming India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, the visit underlines India’s continued commitment to Sri Lanka as its closest maritime neighbour and time-tested friend. The visit will add momentum to connectivity projects and other mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors.”
Jaishankar, a prominent BJP figure who guided India’s diplomatic direction during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term, has resumed his role as External Affairs Minister in the newly formed government, taking charge at the MEA in South Block last week.
At 69, Jaishankar took the oath as a Union Cabinet Minister during the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9. Serving as a BJP MP in the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat since 2019, Jaishankar is known for his sharp replies and impressive oratory. He has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s foreign policy over the past decade in PM Modi’s administration.
Before becoming the foreign minister in 2019, Jaishankar served as the country’s Foreign Secretary from 2015 to 2018, making history as the first Foreign Secretary to later become the External Affairs Minister.
