Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe participated in the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, held on Sunday evening at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of leaders from neighboring countries, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Seychelles Vice-President Ahmed Afif, and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu. The inclusion of President Muizzu as an invitee surprised diplomatic circles amidst strained ties between New Delhi and Male.
President Wickremesinghe arrived in India earlier on the same day to attend Modi’s swearing-in ceremony for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister. He was warmly received at the Indira Gandhi Airport by Indian officials, including Additional Secretary P. Kumaran, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, Indian Ocean Region Additional Secretary Mr. Puneeth Agrawal, and Mrs. Kshenuka Senewiratne. The reception also featured a captivating dance performance showcasing Indian culture.
The swearing-in ceremony, presided over by the President of India Draupadi Murmu, was held in the evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Wickremesinghe’s visit garnered significant media attention in India, with billboards featuring his and Prime Minister Modi’s images prominently displayed across key locations in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Modi’s party alliance secured victory in the Indian general election after a seven-phase voting process spanning 44 days. Following this victory, Modi was officially appointed as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance.
Accompanying President Wickremesinghe on this visit are President’s Secretary Mr. Saman Ekanayake, Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary Ms. Aruni Wijewardene, Government Information Director General Mr. Dinith Chinthaka Karunaratne, and President’s Private Secretary Ms. Sandra Perera.
