Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday at Hyderabad House in New Delhi during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and lauding India's support during crises.
President Dissanayake thanked PM Modi for inviting him to the landmark summit and for India's "exceptional support" following Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread damage in Sri Lanka. He posted on X, "We held extensive discussions on strengthening our historic ties and expanding economic, trade, and cultural cooperation. I also expressed my gratitude for India's exceptional support during the recent Cyclone Ditwah."
Describing Sri Lanka as a "valued neighbour," PM Modi said the meeting further strengthened longstanding friendship between the countries. "We discussed avenues of cooperation in energy, connectivity, infrastructure, healthcare, skilling, culture, blue economy and more," Modi wrote on X.
India acted as a 'First Responder' under Operation Sagar Bandhu, committing a reconstruction package of USD 450 million for Sri Lanka, covering rehabilitation of roads, railways, and bridges; reconstruction of homes; support for health and education sectors; agricultural aid; and improved disaster preparedness. Several Lankan leaders have thanked India for its timely assistance.
During the summit, President Dissanayake also held discussions with global leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and Slovak President Peter Pellegrini, focusing on using AI for global good and multilateral cooperation.
Meanwhile, Slovakia's President Pellegrini called his meeting with PM Modi a "historic milestone" for Slovakia-India ties. He congratulated India on the "exceptionally well-organised" summit, emphasizing cooperation in trade, investment, digital technologies, defence, space, energy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.
Pellegrini highlighted the importance of AI democratization to benefit all people, and discussed innovation, secure technology, talent exchanges, and energy sector collaboration. The meeting also celebrated progress under the India-EU FTA and the India-EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda 2030.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, themed "Welfare for All, Happiness of All", brings together over 500 global AI leaders, including CEOs, founders, academicians, researchers, CTOs, and government representatives. Seven working groups anchor the summit under the pillars of People, Planet, and Progress, focusing on AI for economic growth, social good, safe and trusted AI, inclusion, human capital, science, resilience, and innovation.
The summit positions India as a leader in AI, fostering inclusive growth, safeguarding the planet, and driving technology to advance humanity.
(With inputs from IANS)
