Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has held talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, one month after visiting India on his first overseas trip since winning election in September

Global media also highlights India’s growing military presence in the Indian Ocean, with recent naval manoeuvres and ongoing tensions with China shaping its strategic stance.

China was once seen as having the upper hand in Sri Lanka through its huge loans and infrastructure investments. While China remains the country's largest bilateral lender, Sri Lanka's economic collapse provided an opportunity for India, which stepped in with massive financial and material assistance including food, fuel and medicines.

China and Sri Lanka agreed on more investment and economic cooperation on Wednesday as China's President Xi Jinping met recently-elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Beijing.

China places Sri Lanka on top of its neighbourhood diplomacy and supports it in safeguarding its sovereignty, President Xi Jinping told his Sri Lankan counterpart Anura Kumara Dissanayake during their

China will continue to play a "positive role" in the International Monetary Fund and maintain friendly communication with other creditors, in assisting Sri Lanka to achieve financial relief and debt sustainability,

Once a leader in textiles and tourism, Sri Lanka now faces its worst economic crisis. With inflation at 60%, foreign loan defaults, and a lack of essentials like fuel and medicine, discover the factors that led to this national tragedy.