Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to travel to Sri Lanka on the first week of April on the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, local media reported on Wednesday.
The prime minister's scheduled visit on April 5 comes with the view to further foster the relationship between India and Sri Lanka and enhance their people-centered partnership.
It is rumored that Prime Minister Modi is likely to make a halt in Colombo on his way back from Bangkok, where he will be attending the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit from April 2 to 4.
The invitation for the visit followed President Dissanayake's December 2024 trip to India, his first overseas visit after taking office. Both leaders showed during their talks that they are keen on boosting bilateral relations and setting a new benchmark for friendly, neighborly relations.
President Dissanayake described his visit to India as "successful," highlighting the productive dialogues with Indian leadership and the business community. He also emphasized the strong cooperation between the two nations, particularly India's support during Sri Lanka's economic crisis two years ago.
Prime Minister Modi has made three visits to Sri Lanka since 2014. His last visit was in June 2019, after the Easter Sunday attack, to demonstrate solidarity with Sri Lankans. His previous visits were for the first standalone bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in March 2015, and witnessing Sri Lanka's first-ever International Vesak Day as the Chief Guest in May 2017.
After his December 2024 India visit, President Dissanayake emphasized India's role in supporting Sri Lanka to overcome its economic difficulties, including debt restructuring. He also reiterated that Sri Lanka is an important country in India's foreign policy.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka's resolve to defend India's security interests and territorial integrity, declaring, "We will not let our land be used in any way against the interests of India. The coordination with India will definitely thrive, and I want to assure our further support to India."
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