India will always stand firmly with Sri Lanka in times of crisis, says Raksha Mantri as he begins his maiden visit to the island nation

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh began his maiden visit to Sri Lanka by interacting with the Indian diaspora in Colombo, stating that India will always stand firmly with the island nation during crises. He highlighted India's cultural and civilisational ties with Sri Lanka and detailed India's economic, infrastructural, and defence transformation over the last decade. Key figures shared include the growth of India's economy to approximately USD 4 trillion, macroeconomic stability with average inflation at 4.7%, growth in exports and manufacturing, and advancements in the defence sector with exports reaching around Rs 39,000 crore. He also noted major social welfare expansions, including 25 crore people lifted out of poverty and broader social security coverage.