Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour in Colombo on Saturday. This comes after he commenced his first official visit to Sri Lanka in his third term. The high-level visit is expected to pave the way for significant bilateral agreements. These deals will revolve around the areas of defence, energy, digital infrastructure, health, and trade.
PM Modi’s first visit in his third term
The visit to Sri Lanka marks PM Modi’s first trip to the island nation since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office last year. This follows Dissanayake’s own state visit to India in December 2024, During this visit a joint statement with outlined key areas for collaboration was created.
Ahead of the trip, both leaders posted on X, expressing anticipation to “strengthen the bilateral partnership” and explore “new areas of cooperation.”
The Indian delegation
Meanwhile, the Indian delegation accompanying the Prime Minister includes External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. According to reports formal talks between Modi and Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat are scheduled, Along with this the signing of multiple memoranda of understanding will also be carried out.
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha’s statement
Santosh Jha, Indian High Commissioner called the visit a major milestone in bilateral ties. He stated that the relationship between India and Sri Lanka has “never been better.” He also highlighted the importance of the expected defence pact.
The pact aims to formalise military cooperation through joint exercises, training, and hardware supply. He added that the visit would “help shape a fresh agenda for cooperation. Maritime security is an important element, and it is well recognised that we are in the same region and our security is intertwined and interlinked”.
Jha also said “India and Sri Lanka are the closest neighbours, maritime neighbours in particular, and have a very wide-ranging relationship. It is very important for us to cooperate given our history, geography, our cultural ties, and people-to-people ties.”
A Joint venture
Both the two nations are also expected to finalize a joint venture between India’s NTPC and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board. This will establish a 120-megawatt solar power plant in Trincomalee. The move will ensure India’s ongoing efforts to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from its 2022 economic crisis.
Visit amid regional tensions
Meanwhile, the visit to Sri Lanka comes amid heightened attention on regional issues, This includes the recent resolution by Tamil Nadu’s government to reclaim Katchatheevu, a long-contested island. However, both leaders emphasized their commitment to strengthening ties, with posts on X expressing optimism for deeper cooperation.
The itinerary of PM Modi includes delegation-level discussions, virtual project inaugurations. Furthermore a wreath-laying ceremony at the Indian Peace Keeping Force memorial. PM Modi’s visit will conclude with a state banquet hosted by President Dissanayake.
