Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized Sri Lanka’s special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision ‘Mahasagar’ during a joint press statement with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo on Saturday.
In his remarks, PM Modi reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Sri Lanka’s development.
Prime Minister Modi stated, “Sri Lanka has a special place in both our Neighbourhood First policy and Vision Mahasagar. India has adopted the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ and places great importance on the priorities of its partner nations.”
PM Modi highlighted India’s recent efforts to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, mentioning that in the past six months alone, India had converted loans worth over $100 million into grants.
He also referred to the debt restructuring agreement, which aims to provide immediate relief to the people of Sri Lanka, along with a reduction in interest rates. “This reflects that even today, India stands strong with Sri Lanka,” PM Modi emphasized.
In a significant moment, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake conferred the prestigious ‘Mithra Vibhushana Medal’ upon PM Modi. The honor is the highest award given to a foreign head of state, recognizing the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.
PM Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, “This is not just an honor for me, but for 1.4 billion Indians. It reflects the historic ties and deep friendship between India and Sri Lanka. I sincerely thank the President of Sri Lanka, the government, and the people for this gesture.”
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s journey, PM Modi spoke about his previous visit to the island in 2019 during a sensitive time. “At that time, I had this belief that Sri Lanka would rise stronger, and today I am happy to see Sri Lanka on a path of progress again,” said PM Modi.
He also praised the resilience of the Sri Lankan people, particularly their patience and courage through difficult times, including the 2019 terrorist attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent financial crisis.
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