Date: 2026-05-13Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister - Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi meets H.E. Mrs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka, and the women parliamentarians’ caucus of Sri Lanka
**Executive Summary**
On May 13, 2026, India’s Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Women and Child Affairs, H.E. Mrs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and a delegation of Sri Lankan women parliamentarians in New Delhi. The study visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging best practices regarding women-led development and child welfare. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to institutional knowledge-sharing to advance inclusive growth and social development objectives.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Bilateral Collaboration and Objectives**
* The meeting aimed to enhance cooperation in the fields of women-led development, gender equality, and women’s leadership in governance.
* Discussions prioritized maternal and child welfare alongside initiatives related to the care economy.
* The visit reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the India-Sri Lanka partnership under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
**India’s Strategic Initiatives**
* The Sri Lankan delegation was briefed on transformative Indian programs, including Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.
* The Indian government highlighted its shift toward a "women-led development" approach, positioning women as equal partners and active stakeholders in national growth.
* Emphasis was placed on using digital governance tools and technology-enabled systems to improve service delivery for nutrition, safety, and empowerment.
**Knowledge Sharing and Institutional Strengthening**
* The Sri Lankan Minister expressed interest in learning from India's holistic and inclusive experiences in the sector.
* Both ministries committed to further strengthening institutional cooperation to support shared social development goals.
* The session concluded with a formal exchange of mementos and a reaffirmation of the intent to share best practices.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Women and Child Development (India)**
**Impact**
The Ministry serves as a regional leader by showcasing its "women-led development" model and transformative frameworks like Mission Shakti to international partners.
**Action Required**
Continue facilitating knowledge-sharing sessions and providing technical insights into India’s digital governance tools for service delivery.
**Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (Sri Lanka)**
**Impact**
The Ministry and the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus gained exposure to successful Indian welfare frameworks and technology-enabled systems for maternal and child welfare.
**Action Required**
Evaluate India’s best practices and program structures for potential adaptation or implementation within the Sri Lankan governance context.
**Women and Children in the Region**
**Impact**
Beneficiaries in both nations stand to gain from improved safety, nutrition, and empowerment frameworks resulting from enhanced bilateral cooperation and refined institutional mechanisms.
**Action Required**
No direct action is required from this group; they are the primary beneficiaries of the shared policy improvements and strengthened welfare frameworks discussed.
Key Entities Referenced
Mission Shakti: A comprehensive Indian government initiative for women's safety, security, and empowerment shared as a best practice during the bilateral meeting.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0: An integrated nutrition support program focused on child welfare and maternal health presented to the Sri Lankan delegation.
Mission Vatsalya: A roadmap for child protection and welfare services in India highlighted as a key transformative program.
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The nodal Indian ministry responsible for implementing the women-led development model and hosting the bilateral cooperation dialogue.
Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka: The primary visiting delegation interested in adopting India's best practices in gender equality and women’s leadership in governance.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
Union Minister - Women and Child Development,
Smt. Annpurna Devi meets H.E. Mrs. Saroja
Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child
Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka, and the women
parliamentarians’ caucus of Sri Lanka
India’s transformative women-led development model
strengthens India–Sri Lanka partnership
Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration and
exchange of best practices in the field of women-led
development, gender equality, maternal and child welfare,
care economy initiatives, and women’s leadership in
governance
Posted On: 13 MAY 2026 6:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of India, Smt. Annapurna Devi,
today met H.E. Mrs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Government of Sri
Lanka, along with members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus of Sri Lanka, during their study visit
to India. The meeting was held at the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GPOA, Block 3, New
Delhi.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development extended a formal welcome to the Sri Lankan delegation.
The visit reflects the shared commitment of India and Sri Lanka towards strengthening bilateral
cooperation in the areas of women and child development under the guidance and visionary leadership of
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.During the interaction, discussions focused on enhancing collaboration and exchange of best practices in
the field of women-led development, gender equality, maternal and child welfare, care economy
initiatives, and women’s leadership in governance.
The delegation was apprised of India’s key initiatives and transformative programs for women and
children, including Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0.
The discussions also highlighted the use of digital governance tools and technology-enabled systems for
improving service delivery related to women’s safety, empowerment, nutrition, and welfare.
Addressing the delegation, the Union Minister Smt. Annapurna Devi reiterated that under the leadership of
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India has adopted a women-led
development approach, recognising women as equal partners and active stakeholders in the nation’s
growth and development journey. She further highlighted the Government’s continued commitment
towards strengthening institutional mechanisms and welfare frameworks for women and children.H.E. Mrs. Saroja Savithri Paulraj appreciated the progressive and impactful initiatives undertaken by the
Government of India for the empowerment and welfare of women and children. She acknowledged India’s
holistic and inclusive approach towards women-led development and expressed interest in learning from
India’s experiences and best practices in the sector.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening institutional cooperation and knowledge-
sharing between the two Ministries for advancing the shared objectives of inclusive growth and social
development. The meeting concluded with the exchange of mementos and a group photograph.
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SS/VN
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