– India and Sri Lanka agreed to advance negotiations on updating the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on a bilateral Social Security Agreement, which is expected to be signed soon, during Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s official visit to Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Misri, who was on his first standalone visit to Sri Lanka as Foreign Secretary, called on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, and Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja. He also met Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and held separate discussions with leaders representing the Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian Origin Tamil (IOT) communities.

The two sides reviewed progress on a wide range of bilateral projects and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties under its “Neighbourhood First” policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.They expressed satisfaction over the implementation of reconstruction initiatives funded under India’s USD 450 million assistance package announced following Cyclone Ditwah.Among the key developments were the exchange of agreements for two Indian Rupee-denominated Lines of Credit worth USD 350 million—USD 250 million for railway projects and USD 100 million for livestock and other priority sectors. Both countries also confirmed that reconstruction of damaged houses and permanent bridges under a USD 100 million grant will begin shortly.

The discussions also covered ongoing cooperation in the health, education and disaster management sectors, including the supply of medical equipment for Deniyaya Hospital, medical kiosks, educational equipment and the planned implementation of an islandwide disaster warning system. The rehabilitation of the Northern Railway corridor, funded through a USD 5 million Indian grant, has also been completed, allowing train services to resume.Both sides agreed to expedite several major infrastructure and energy projects, including the electricity grid interconnection, the Sampur Solar Power Project, and the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub. They also pledged to fast-track the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project and begin discussions on an MoU for the rehabilitation and modernization of Kankesanthurai Harbour under a USD 61.5 million Indian grant.

India also reiterated its support for expanding the 1990 Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service and noted that more than 1,000 Sri Lankan professionals have already benefited from capacity-building programmes launched last year.The Foreign Secretary also discussed issues related to fishermen, calling for the early release of detained Indian fishermen and boats while urging a humanitarian approach to resolving the matter. He further encouraged Sri Lanka to hold Provincial Council elections at the earliest and fully implement constitutional provisions addressing the aspirations of the Tamil community.

The visit reaffirmed India’s commitment to implementing the outcomes of the December 2024 Joint Statement issued during President Anura Kumara Disanayaka’s visit to India, as well as the agreements signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025.