Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in India for an official visit, marking his first visit to the country since taking office last year. During his visit, President Wickremesinghe is scheduled to meet with Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral projects in the energy sector and initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity.

India had previously extended emergency financial support to Sri Lanka, providing relief during the island nation's economic crisis. India, China, and Japan are the top three bilateral lenders to Sri Lanka, and President Wickremesinghe is expected to visit Beijing later this year for talks.

India and Sri Lanka have agreed to consider building a bridge between the two countries, which would establish land connectivity across the Palk Strait. The establishment of this bridge would give India access to the key ports of Trincomalee and Colombo, strengthening their bilateral relationship.

The leaders also discussed the feasibility of building a petroleum pipeline between the two countries. India also raised concerns about China's presence in Sri Lanka, as China is Sri Lanka's biggest bilateral creditor. Prime Minister Modi and President Wickremesinghe announced five pacts, including a memorandum of cooperation for economic development projects in Sri Lanka's Trincomalee district and a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy.

The leaders also discussed the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and emphasized the importance of fulfilling their aspirations and ensuring their respect and dignity. Modi urged the Sri Lankan government to hold early elections for provincial councils and implement the 13th amendment to transfer power from the central to the local governments in the Tamil-majority northern and eastern provinces.

Additionally, both countries have agreed to increase air connectivity and start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka. Overall, the visit of President Wickremesinghe to India aims to strengthen bilateral relations, enhance economic cooperation, and address various concerns, including the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and the issues facing the Tamil community.

India's support and assistance to Sri Lanka during times of crisis have been crucial, and both countries are working towards deepening their partnership in various sectors, including energy, technology, and trade.