Tilvin Silva meets Jaishankar as JVP concludes India visit

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has met Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva and his delegation in New Delhi during the final day of their visit to India.

Following the meeting, Jaishankar said the two sides had a “good discussion” on strengthening the deep bonds of friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

“As a trusted partner, India will always support Sri Lanka’s progress and prosperity,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.

Silva is leading a five-member JVP delegation visiting India from September 27 to October 1 at the invitation of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under its “Know BJP” programme.

The BJP has said the visit is intended to strengthen engagement between the two parties, exchange organisational experiences and deepen ties.

The delegation includes JVP Central Committee member Chandrika Adikari, MP Aboobucker Athambawa, District Committee member Kabilan Suntharamoorthy and International Department member Kalpana Madhubhashini.

During the visit, the delegation held talks with BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santhosh and other senior party figures. Discussions included the BJP’s organisational structure, grassroots membership network and development programmes in India.

The JVP delegation also met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and visited the Delhi BJP office, where it was welcomed by Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra. Its programme also included interactions with BJP women’s and youth organisations and visits to the Indian Parliament and the National War Memorial.

Earlier discussions during the visit also touched on issues including Indian fishermen, refugee resettlement and cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.

The meeting with Jaishankar comes as the JVP delegation concludes its five-day visit to India.