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India Strengthens ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy with Vice President’s Maiden Visit to Sri Lanka
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Housing, Scholarships, and OCI Reforms: Indian VP Announces Major Welfare Boost for Sri Lanka
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Strengthening Bonds: Indian VP Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan Reviews Post-Cyclone Recovery and Development in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO – Marking a new chapter in diplomatic relations, the Hon’ble Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, concluded a historic two-day bilateral visit to Sri Lanka on April 20, 2026. This visit stands as the first-ever official bilateral visit by an Indian Vice President to the island nation, further solidifying the “Neighbourhood First” policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagements
On April 19, Vice President Radhakrishnan held high-level talks with Sri Lankan President H.E. Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The leaders reviewed ongoing development cooperation, specifically highlighting the successful restoration of the Northern Railway Line and the completion of three Bailey bridges by the Indian Army. These projects, funded under India’s USD 450 million assistance package, were critical in restoring connectivity following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in late 2025.
The Vice President also met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, where they discussed deep civilisational bonds. A significant outcome of this meeting was the doubling of the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET) scholarships—increasing from 350 to 700—alongside a substantial hike in monthly stipends for students.
Major Boost for the Indian Diaspora
Addressing a massive gathering of the Indian Diaspora at New Kathiresan Hall, the Vice President announced landmark reforms to the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme. Eligibility has now been extended to include 5th and 6th generation Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs). Furthermore, the application process was simplified to recognize Sri Lankan government documents as proof of nativity, addressing a long-standing request from the plantation community.
In a move to improve living standards, the Vice President virtually inaugurated the final 145 houses of Phase-III of the Indian Housing Project. This flagship project has already completed 50,000 houses, with another 10,000 currently under construction.
Strategic MoUs and Cultural Ties
The visit also saw the exchange of two pivotal Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) Execution of six priority projects under the Multi-Sectoral Grant Assistance for the Eastern Province. Construction of a new four-story Medical Ward Complex at the District General Hospital in Mullaitivu.
The Vice President’s itinerary included visits to culturally significant sites, including the Gangaramaya Temple, the Kathiresan Temple, and the Seetha Amman Temple in Nuwara Eliya. He also visited the Liddlesdale Estate in Ragala to personally interact with beneficiaries of the Indian Housing Project.
This historic visit reinforces the centuries-old ties between the two nations. With Sri Lanka’s decision to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance and the continued expansion of economic and social grants, the partnership between India and Sri Lanka continues to grow as a pillar of regional stability and mutual prosperity.
