Marking a historic diplomatic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held ‘extensive and productive talks’ on Saturday with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo.
Significantly, this visit makes PM Modi the first foreign leader to be hosted by President Dissanayake since assuming office, underscoring the deep-rooted and evolving partnership between the two nations.
During the discussions, the two leaders covered a broad range of issues, with a particular focus on economic recovery, regional connectivity, and sustainable development.
Emphasizing the importance of the engagement, PM Modi said, “A few months ago, President Dissanayake chose India for his first overseas visit. Today, I have the honour of being the first foreign leader he is hosting. This reflects his personal commitment to India-Sri Lanka ties and the unbreakable bond that exists between our nations.”
As part of the visit, both sides signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation in multiple sectors.
India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates signed a trilateral MoU to jointly develop Trincomalee as an energy hub, marking one of the key outcomes of the visit and highlighting growing regional collaboration in clean energy and infrastructure.
Further commenting on the meeting, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the discussions aligned with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and its maritime vision, ‘Vision MAHASAGAR’.
Furthermore, he added that both leaders reiterated their firm commitment to work together in realising the joint vision for fostering partnerships for a shared future.
PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at Colombo’s iconic Independence Square, marking the first time Sri Lanka has honoured a visiting leader at this historic venue.
The visit also saw symbolic gestures of goodwill, including a cultural welcome at the airport by six senior Sri Lankan ministers despite inclement weather.
On Friday, PM Modi interacted with the Indian diaspora in Colombo and witnessed a traditional Sri Lankan puppet performance, underscoring the deep cultural ties and people-to-people connections between the two nations.
This is PM Modi’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019 and comes at a time when both nations are emphasizing economic recovery, regional integration, and cultural diplomacy.
The two countries expect the agreements and high-level engagements to usher in a new era of bilateral collaboration rooted in mutual respect and shared goals for prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
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