Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to arrive in Sri Lanka

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Tuesday for an official visit lasting until 10 September, according to India’s Ministry of Defence.

Singh will be accompanied by senior officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

During the visit, he is expected to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya and Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha.

He is also scheduled to meet members of the Indian community in Colombo.

The Indian Ministry of Defence said the visit was aimed at strengthening longstanding ties between the two countries and expanding cooperation in defence, economic engagement, maritime affairs and regional security.

The visit is significant as it will be the first official visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Defence Minister in 38 years.

The last such visit was made by K.C. Pant in 1988 during the tenure of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.