New Delhi, October 17: The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr Harini Nireka Amarasuriya, visited NITI Aayog in New Delhi on Thursday, to explore avenues for deeper cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in the fields of infrastructure, education, tourism, skill development, and artificial intelligence (AI).
During her visit, Dr Amarasuriya lauded NITI Aayog’s role as India’s apex policy think tank, praising its ability to link long-term strategy with on-ground execution. She expressed particular interest in understanding how NITI Aayog collaborates with central ministries and state governments to ensure policy coherence and citizen-centric governance. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister also shared insights from her nation’s ongoing reform efforts, highlighting the need for institutions that promote evidence-based policymaking and continuity across political cycles.
The discussions were chaired by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman K. Bery, in the presence of Hon’ble Members and senior officials. They presented an overview of India’s key initiatives including:
- PM Gati Shakti, a platform for multimodal infrastructure planning and logistics efficiency.
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, promoting inclusive and technology-driven education.
- Opportunities for collaboration in tourism and cultural exchange, focusing on heritage, wellness, and eco-tourism.
- Frontier technologies and AI, emphasizing shared innovation for governance and development.
Specific presentations were made on India–Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations, covering trade, investment, and the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). Officials also discussed the potential application of India’s multimodal logistics model under PM Gati Shakti to urban infrastructure in Kandy City.
Representatives from various divisions of NITI Aayog participated in the dialogue, reaffirming India’s commitment to knowledge-sharing and South–South cooperation.
The visit concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared vision of a knowledge-based, technology-driven, and people-centric partnership, aligning with India’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR frameworks.
The engagement highlighted the growing synergy between India and Sri Lanka in fostering sustainable development, innovation, and regional prosperity through collaborative governance and mutual learning.
