Rajnath Singh Meets Sri Lankan PM, Stresses Shared Development Vision

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called on Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo on September 9, 2026, with development cooperation emerging as a central theme of their discussions.

The two leaders reviewed ongoing collaboration in education, information technology, infrastructure, innovation, and research. They also acknowledged the deep-rooted civilisational links between the two nations, highlighting strong people-to-people exchanges as an enduring bond.

Singh emphasised that as sister democracies with a shared heritage, India and Sri Lanka should pursue a common developmental vision to ensure peace and prosperity in the region. He described capacity building as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation and expressed hope that his visit would add momentum to the multifaceted partnership.

Singh also praised Amarasuriya as a symbol of women's empowerment, noting she serves as a role model for women in both Sri Lanka and India. He said India would encourage more Sri Lankan women to avail of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships and other government initiatives to boost their participation in governance and leadership. He added that both countries have benefited from strong women leaders who have contributed significantly to nation-building.