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VP Radhakrishnan's Sri Lanka Visit to Boost Ties, Engage Tamil Community

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan has departed for a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, his first foreign trip since assuming office. The visit includes high-level meetings with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. A key focus is engaging with the Indian-origin Tamil community, including visits to housing projects built with Indian assistance. The trip aims to reinforce bilateral ties under India's Neighbourhood First policy and deepen people-to-people connections.

Key Points: VP Radhakrishnan Visits Sri Lanka to Strengthen Bilateral Ties

  • First foreign visit as Vice President
  • Meetings with Sri Lankan leadership
  • Engagement with Indian-origin Tamil community
  • Review of Indian housing projects
  • Strengthening Neighbourhood First policy
3 min read

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan leaves for Sri Lanka on his first foreign visit

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan embarks on his first foreign visit to Sri Lanka, meeting leadership and engaging with the Indian-origin Tamil community.

"I consider this a significant and important moment in the history of the relationship between the two countries. - Santosh Menon"

New Delhi, April 19

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Sunday departed for Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit, marking his first foreign visit since assuming office.

In a statement on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri. C. P. Radhakrishnan @VPIndia has departed for Sri Lanka. A rich agenda involving meeting with Sri Lankan leadership and interacting with Indian community lies ahead."

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit includes meetings with Sri Lanka's top leadership and engagements with the Indian-origin Tamil community. The visit is part of India's broader diplomatic outreach under its Neighbourhood First policy.

During the visit, the Vice President is scheduled to meet Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and the Leader of the Opposition, along with representatives of Sri Lankan Tamil and Indian-origin Tamil political groups.

According to Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha, the Vice President will also engage directly with communities in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka's picturesque up-country tea-growing region, where a large section of the Indian-origin Tamil community resides.

There, he will visit settlements developed under India's Housing Project Phase III, which has already constructed 4,000 houses, with an additional 10,000 currently underway.

The visit is expected to see the Vice President interact with Indian-origin Tamil families, visit housing projects, and also tour the Seetha Temple in Nuwara Eliya.

Welcoming the visit, the President of the Lanka India Business Association, Santosh Menon, told ANI, "I consider this a significant and important moment in the history of the relationship between the two countries. As you know, in the recent past, India and Sri Lanka's relationship has been at its best."

A Kathak artist and lecturer in Colombo also said, "I welcome Vice President CP Radhakrishnan to Sri Lanka. This visit of the Vice President, CP Radhakrishnan, will strengthen the ties between India and Sri Lanka."

Furthermore, on VP Radhakrishnan's visit to Sri Lanka, President of the Indian CEO Forum (ICF) in Sri Lanka, Kishore Reddy, expressed happiness, saying, "We are very happy as his visit is going to strengthen people-to-people ties as well as the business and economic relationship that India already has. With his visit, the ties between India and Sri Lanka are going to get strengthened...India has always assisted Sri Lanka in all the calamities, including the recent Cyclone Ditwah and the present crisis as well."

The Ministry of External Affairs has described Sri Lanka as a key partner under India's Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR framework, noting that the visit will further reinforce centuries-old civilisational ties and deepen the enduring people-to-people relationship between the two nations.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Good to see the Neighbourhood First policy in action. Sri Lanka is going through a tough time economically, and India's consistent support, whether through loans, fuel, or now housing projects, shows true friendship. Hope this visit brings more concrete benefits for both nations.
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Michael C
Interesting choice for a first foreign visit. It sends a clear message about regional priorities. The engagement with the Tamil community is a smart diplomatic move, addressing both cultural ties and domestic political sentiments in Tamil Nadu.
A
Ananya R
While I appreciate the diplomatic outreach, I hope our leaders also discuss the fishermen issue with sincerity. Our Tamil Nadu fishermen face constant challenges. The relationship must be mutually respectful and address the concerns of all citizens.
S
Suresh O
Building 4000 houses and 10,000 more! This is real, impactful work that changes lives. Diplomacy is not just about speeches in capitals. Visiting Nuwara Eliya and interacting directly with the community is the right approach. Jai Hind!
K
Kavya N
Sri Lanka and India share so much history and culture. Visits like these reinforce that bond. Also, as an Indian, it feels good to see our country being a reliable pillar of support for neighbours in crisis. That's what a responsible regional power does.

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