India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Nitin Nabin met a five-member delegation from Sri Lanka’s ruling party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), led by its general secretary, Tilvin Silva, the party said on Thursday.

The JVP delegation arrived in India on September 27 at the invitation of the BJP under its ‘KNOW BJP’ initiative. Its visit concluded on Thursday.

In an interaction at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Nabin highlighted the “deep civilisational and cultural ties” between India and Sri Lanka, particularly their shared Buddhist heritage, according to the BJP.

The party chief expressed hope that the JVP delegation’s visit would lead to “regular institutional interaction” and invited the delegation to visit Bihar during its next visit to India.

Nabin also briefed the delegation on the BJP’s organisational journey, grassroots network and the next generation of leadership.

He spoke about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on empowering women and youth, skilling, entrepreneurship, innovation and participation of young people in nation-building, the party said.

The JVP delegation shared its experiences of governance in Sri Lanka and spoke about welfare initiatives aimed at women and youth.

Both sides exchanged perspectives on how political organisations can contribute to expanding opportunities and strengthen public participation.

The discussion also covered sports, particularly cricket, as an important “people-to-people bridge” between India and Sri Lanka.

Nabin also referred to the BJP’s philosophy of ‘Antyodaya’, the ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and the role of its karyakartas beyond electoral activity.

The BJP leader expressed hope that closer party-to-party engagement would further contribute to the “longstanding friendship” between the two countries.

The interaction was attended by BJP Foreign Affairs Department in-charge Vijay Chauthaiwale. 

Source: PTI

-Agencies