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Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will be on a three-day visit to India starting tomorrow. Briefing the media yesterday, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this would be Mr. Dissanayake’s first visit since his election as the President of Sri Lanka. He also mentioned that during his three-day visit, Mr. Dissanayake will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Jaiswal added that the Sri Lankan President will also attend a business event in the national capital and will visit Bodh Gaya in Bihar. The spokesperson further noted that the visit will strengthen the multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Regarding repatriation efforts for Indians in West Asia, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said 77 Indians who wished to return to India have been evacuated from Syria. He mentioned that these 77 individuals were evacuated through Lebanon, with close coordination from the embassies in Lebanon and Syria. Speaking about the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Bangladesh, Mr. Jaiswal said the Foreign Secretary highlighted India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh. He added that Mr. Misri also conveyed India’s concerns, especially regarding the safety and welfare of minorities in Bangladesh.
On the issue of the death of three Indian students in Canada, the MEA Spokesperson stated that India has raised the matter with Canadian authorities. He said the Indian High Commission in Canada is in touch with local authorities for a thorough investigation into the incidents. Responding to a media query on the issue, Mr. Jaiswal said the safety, security, and welfare of Indian nationals, especially students, in Canada remain a top priority for New Delhi. He added that India has also issued an advisory for its nationals and students to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, given the deteriorating security environment in Canada due to the growing incidents of hate crimes and violence. Regarding the granting of Indian visas to Canadians, Mr. Jaiswal stated that it is India’s sovereign function, and New Delhi has the legitimate right to deny visas to those who undermine its territorial integrity. He also questioned the Canadian media for running disinformation campaigns over the visa issue.