Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Arrives in Sri Lanka Today (8)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today, according to the Indian Ministry of Defence.

In a statement, the Ministry said that Rajnath Singh, accompanied by senior officials from India's Ministry of External Affairs, will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from today until September 10.

During the visit, the Indian Defence Minister is expected to hold discussions with 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 residing in Colombo.

The Indian Ministry of Defence stated that the primary objective of the visit is to further strengthen the longstanding historical ties between Sri Lanka and India while enhancing cooperation in defence, economic engagement, maritime affairs and regional security.

The visit is particularly significant as it marks the first occasion in 38 years that an Indian Defence Minister is undertaking an official visit to Sri Lanka.

The last Indian Defence Minister to visit Sri Lanka was K.C. Pant in 1988 during the tenure of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.