Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has arrived in New Delhi to attend the much-anticipated swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi today. He was warmly received by P. Kumaran, Officer on Special Duty (ER & DPA) division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
“Warm welcome to President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka as he arrives in New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Received by OSD (ER & DPA) P. Kumaran at the airport,” announced Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, in a post on X.
President Wickremesinghe arrived this morning (09) via Indira Gandhi Airport to witness the swearing-in of Narendra Modi, who has been elected Prime Minister of India for a third consecutive term. He was greeted by Additional Secretary P. Kumaran on behalf of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, Indian Ocean Region Additional Secretary Puneeth Agrawal, and Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne. The reception featured a dance performance showcasing Indian culture.
The ceremony, presided over by President of India Draupadi Murmu, will take place this afternoon (09) at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. President Wickremesinghe’s arrival garnered significant media coverage in India, with billboards featuring his and Prime Minister Modi’s images displayed around key locations in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party alliance secured victory in the Indian general election, conducted over seven phases spanning 44 days. Following the confirmation of this victory, Modi was officially appointed as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance.
Accompanying President Wickremesinghe on this visit are President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary Aruni Wijewardene, Government Information Director General Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne, and President’s Private Secretary Sandra Perera.
India’s Ties With Sri Lanka
India and Sri Lanka enjoy strong and enduring bilateral ties. PM Modi visited Sri Lanka in 2017, accompanied by then Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and then PM Wickremesinghe.
PM-Designate Narendra Modi Set For 3rd Consecutive Term
Narendra Modi is set for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India, with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance emerging victorious in the parliamentary elections. This achievement will see him equal Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of becoming prime minister for a third time after completing two full terms.
Leaders from neighboring countries and the Indian Ocean region are set to convene as distinguished guests at the highly anticipated ceremony, highlighting India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the ‘SAGAR’ initiative.
Sri Lankan President Accepts Invitation
President Wickremesinghe accepted PM Modi’s invitation to attend his swearing-in ceremony, congratulating him on the BJP-led NDA’s electoral victory over a phone call. “During the conversation, Prime Minister @narendramodi invited President Wickremesinghe to his swearing-in ceremony, which President @RW_UNP accepted,” stated the President’s Media Division of Sri Lanka in a post on X earlier.
Sri Lankan President Extends Warmest Wishes
President Wickremesinghe extended his warmest wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP-led coalition’s victory in the parliamentary polls. In a post on X, he said, “I extend my warmest felicitations to the @BJP4India led NDA on its victory, demonstrating the confidence of the Indian people in the progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. As the closest neighbour, Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with India.”
Following the ceremony, President Draupadi Murmu will host a banquet for the dignitaries at Rashtrapati Bhavan this evening.
