Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar engaged in a fruitful discussion with Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on Sunday, February 16.
Jaishankar took to X (formerly Twitter) to describe the meeting as "a productive interaction" with Herath, highlighting that they took stock of the "wide-ranging cooperation" between India and Sri Lanka. The Indian minister also reaffirmed India's commitment to supporting the economic recovery and progress of Sri Lanka.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Jaishankar also met with former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the conference. The eighth edition of the conference, themed “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership,” is addressing a wide range of key issues, including maritime security, enhancing trade links, and sustainable development in the Indian Ocean region.
This year’s conference, being held in Muscat, focuses on fostering stronger maritime partnerships, ensuring freedom of navigation, and leveraging modern technology to enhance port security and governance. The forum serves as an important platform for discussions on regional cooperation and challenges, with participation from countries around the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Ocean Conference is an annual event organized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in association with the India Foundation, bringing together leaders and experts to discuss critical regional matters.
