By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: A delegation of Sri Lanka’s ruling Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), led by Party General Secretary M. Tilvin Silva, visited the Delhi BJP office on Tuesday as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s international interaction programme, “Know BJP”.
The delegation included JVP Central Committee member Chandrika Adhikari, Sri Lankan MP Abubakar Athambawa, Jaffna Municipal Council member Kabilan Sundaramurthy and B.R.K. Madhubhashini, Coordinating Secretary to the Leader of the Sri Lankan Parliament.
Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, Organisation General Secretary Pawan Rana and senior office-bearers Vishnu Mittal, Yogita Singh, Vijay Solanki and Richa Pandey welcomed the visiting delegation with bouquets and mementoes.
Speaking on the occasion, Malhotra said India-Sri Lanka ties were “not merely diplomatic” but were rooted in civilisation, culture and faith. Referring to the historical links between the two countries, he cited the Ramayana and the spread of Buddhism as examples of their longstanding cultural connections.
“The sea may separate us, but our hearts and minds connect us,” Malhotra said, adding that India’s relationship with the Tamils, Buddhists, Sinhalese and Muslims living in Sri Lanka was “like that of a family”.
He said cooperation with neighbouring countries had become increasingly important amid global challenges.
Malhotra said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India-Sri Lanka relations had progressed in areas including economic assistance, energy cooperation, maritime security, healthcare and digital connectivity. He cited India’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic and assistance extended to Sri Lanka during its economic crisis as examples of bilateral cooperation.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party believes that strong neighbours contribute to a strong region,” Malhotra said, while welcoming initiatives for stability and development in Sri Lanka following the JVP’s assumption of power.
He said the BJP was willing to work with Sri Lankan counterparts on shared values of democracy, transparency and public welfare, adding that the Delhi BJP would extend “every possible cooperation” to further strengthen India-Sri Lanka friendship.
The BJP Foreign Affairs Department’s Vijay Chauthaiwale and Nakul Bhardwaj, Delhi BJP Media Head Praveen Shankar Kapoor and Office Secretary Kailash Jain were also present during the interaction.
Malhotra concluded by reiterating the importance of strengthening India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy through closer engagement and cooperation with Sri Lanka.
