Rajnath Singh calls Indian community a Bridge between India and Sri Lanka

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday described the Indian community in Sri Lanka as an important bridge between the two countries and assured Colombo that India would stand by it in times of crisis. Singh made the remarks at a community reception in Colombo during his three-day official visit, which is focused on strengthening defence, maritime and wider bilateral cooperation. Singh, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, said India considers the island nation a 'very close friend' and stressed the permanence of geographical ties between the neighbours. He said the Indian diaspora contributes to cultural, people-to-people, business and political links, while his visit is also expected to include meetings with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and senior defence officials. 'India considers Sri Lanka a very close friend,' Singh said at the reception. 'In life, everything can change, but neighbours can never change. Friends can change in life, but neighbours can never change.' He also gave a direct assurance on India's approach during emergencies, saying: 'Whenever a crisis arises in Sri Lanka, India will stand with the Government of Sri Lanka with its full strength.' The statement reflects New Delhi's emphasis on its Neighbourhood First policy and its broader Indian Ocean approach under MAHASAGAR. Singh's comments came on the first day of what India has described as an important bilateral engagement. The visit is the first official visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian defence minister in 38 years, with K.C. Pant having made the previous such visit in 1988. Beyond diaspora outreach, defence and maritime security are central to the agenda. India and Sri Lanka have developed cooperation through military training, professional exchanges, exercises and maritime-security mechanisms. The two countries also share strategic interests in the Indian Ocean, where shipping routes and regional security have increased the importance of their partnership. Singh also used the Colombo gathering to highlight India's economic and technological growth. According to his remarks reported by ANI, he said Indian defence exports had risen from about ₹600 crore around 12 years ago to approximately ₹39,000 crore currently, while pointing to expanding broadband connectivity and UPI transactions as indicators of India's digital transformation. The diaspora's role has featured increasingly in India's engagement with Sri Lanka. Earlier this year, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan also described the Indian-origin community as a living bridge between the two countries while announcing measures concerning the OCI scheme, scholarships and community development. The immediate focus now shifts to Singh's official meetings with Sri Lankan leaders and defence officials. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister has also said that three defence-cooperation agreements are expected to be signed on Wednesday covering cadet training, cooperation between defence colleges and maintenance of anti-aircraft weapons supplied by India. The agreements, if signed as announced, would provide a concrete outcome from Singh's visit, while further talks are expected to shape cooperation on maritime security, defence training and regional stability