S Jaishankar calls on State heads of Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh

Union Minister S Jaishankar on Monday called upon heads of states of Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bangladesh who had attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After his meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Jaishankar expressed hope for close cooperation between New Delhi and Male. “Delighted to call on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu of Maldives today in New Delhi. Look forward to India and Maldives working together closely,” he said in a post on X.

Jaishankar, who served as the External Affairs Minister in PM Modi’s previous cabinet, also met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. “Appreciate President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka for receiving me this morning in New Delhi. Recognised the steady progress in India-Sri Lanka relations,” he said.

Highlighting the enduring ties between India and Bangladesh, Jaishankar said after his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, “Honoured to call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh today. The India-Bangladesh Maitri (friendship) continues to advance.”

The visits of these regional leaders to India underscored the importance New Delhi places on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. They joined PM Modi on stage after he took the oath of office for a third consecutive term on Sunday evening at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In addition to the Maldivian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi leaders, Nepal’s PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ Bhutan’s PM Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, and Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Afif also attended the swearing-in ceremony. The leaders greeted President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and participated in a group photograph.

Highlighting the significance of the event, the MEA emphasised, “The visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his third consecutive term is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.”