A 24-member delegation of Young Political Leaders representing 14 political parties visited India from 14-25 July 2025. The delegation comprised Members of Parliament (MP), former members of Provincial Councils, members of Local Government Bodies and youth wing leaders.
This was a first of its kind programme to enhance cross-party political linkages across different tiers between the two countries. The visit spanning across Delhi-NCR, and the states of Bihar and Karnataka provided the delegates with a brief over-view of India’s developmental initiatives, economic modernisation, technological advancements, democratic traditions and its rich cultural heritage.
While in Delhi, the visiting delegation called on Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri. Foreign Secretary emphasised that the future roadmap for the India-Sri Lanka partnership will be undergirded by deepening linkages in technology, investment and connectivity. He reiterated India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s development and progress under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision.
The delegation visited the Parliament and had interactive sessions on legislative processes, system of Parliamentary Committees and other related matters. They had the opportunity to interact with young MPs, Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and youth leaders from different parts of India. They also called on the Honourable Governors of Bihar and Karnataka in the respective legs of the visit.
Besides these political exchanges, the programme included elements of exposure to India’s manufacturing industry through visits to plants of Maruti Suzuki, BOSCH India and Ather Energy. India’s success with Digital Public Infrastructure was shared with the delegation at the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Advancements in education and R&D were showcased in visits to IIT Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, Nalanda University in Nalanda, Bihar, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) also hosted the delegation for a business roundtable in New Delhi.
Interactions with academia and think-tanks lent perspectives on Indian economy and the evolving foreign policy, role of diaspora, India’s culture and civilisation as well as India’s roadmap of inclusive and sustainable development. The delegation also underwent a day-long orientation at the Indian Institute of Management in Bodhgaya (IIM Bodhgaya) on public policy, governance and leadership. While in Bodhgaya, they visited the Mahabodhi Temple underpinning the timeless Buddhist linkages between the two countries.
This mutli-faceted programme for young leaders from Sri Lanka was anchored by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. This is pursuant to the announcement made by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025, offering 700 customised slots annually for Sri Lankan professionals. The programme reaffirmed the role of young political leaders as key stakeholders in realising the limitless potential of the India-Sri Lanka partnership.
