Following the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third term, Union Minister S Jaishankar engaged in discussions with key leaders from Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh to bolster bilateral relations and enhance regional cooperation.
Jaishankar, who is poised to resume his role in the external affairs ministry, met with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday. This meeting occurred a day after these leaders attended PM Modi’s oath-taking ceremony.
Apart from these engagements, leaders from Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, and Seychelles were also invited to the inauguration. Notably, Muizzu’s participation is seen as a significant gesture indicating the Maldivian leadership’s interest in reinvigorating ties with India. His attendance comes after a period of strained relations, highlighted by previous demands for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel from the Maldives.
Jaishankar’s discussions with Muizzu, Hasina, and Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of continuous progress in India’s relations with these countries. Following his meeting with Muizzu, Jaishankar expressed optimism for closer collaboration between India and the Maldives.
The banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan showcased Muizzu seated next to Modi, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the event.
In his interactions with Hasina and Wickremesinghe, Jaishankar reiterated the enduring friendship between India and Bangladesh while recognizing the steady advancements in India-Sri Lanka relations.
While no formal bilateral meetings between Modi and the visiting leaders were scheduled due to the prime minister’s domestic commitments, Modi did meet with them collectively and held brief one-on-one discussions. These meetings, although not detailed, reiterated India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and the “SAGAR” vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region.
Modi reaffirmed India’s dedication to regional peace, progress, and prosperity, emphasizing the goal of “Viksit Bharat by 2047” (Prosperous India by 2047) and the importance of enhanced people-to-people ties and connectivity within the region.
Sources By Agencies