Ranil Wickremesinghe and Dr. S. Jaishankar Discuss Maritime Security at Indian Ocean Conference 2025

In a significant move to bolster regional cooperation and maritime security, former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in discussions with India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, during the 8th Indian Ocean Conference held in Muscat, Oman, on February 16-17, 2025. The conference, organized by the India Foundation in association with Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, centered on the theme "Voyages to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership."

During their meeting, Wickremesinghe and Dr. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of enhancing both bilateral and multilateral partnerships within the Indian Ocean region. Their discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation frameworks and addressing shared challenges to ensure maritime security and stability.

Following the conference, Wickremesinghe is scheduled to participate in the Maritime Partnership Conference, also taking place in Oman. He is expected to address critical issues concerning maritime security, trade, and regional stability, reflecting Sri Lanka's proactive stance on fostering collaboration among Indian Ocean nations.

The 8th Indian Ocean Conference brought together key stakeholders from various countries, including Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, and Oman's Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi. The event served as a platform for dialogue on regional affairs, aiming to chart a roadmap for the future of maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka's active participation in these discussions underscores its commitment to regional diplomacy and its role in addressing common challenges for the collective benefit of Indian Ocean nations.