Colombo: Despite heavy rain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a rousing reception in Colombo, with hundreds of locals and members of the Indian diaspora community lining up to greet him.
Modi, who is on a two-day State Visit at the invitation of Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and arrived from Bangkok on Friday evening after attending the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit and will return home on April 6.
Ministers from Dissanayake’s cabinet to receive him at the Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport included Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Labour Minister Anil Jayantha, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj and Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena
People gathered outside the airport and at the hotel amid heavy rain in the Lankan capital.
“Landed in Colombo. Grateful to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed me at the airport. Looking forward to the programs in Sri Lanka,” PM Modi posted on X after arriving in Colombo.
Colombo has maintained that the State Visit of Dissanayake to India in December last year -- his first overseas visit as the President of Sri Lanka -- marked a “watershed moment” in bilateral relations. The robust diplomatic relations between the two neighbors are expected to get a further boost as PM Modi will be the first foreign leader to be hosted by President Dissanayake in his capacity as Sri Lanka’s President.
Civilizational links
“The India-Sri Lanka relationship is deeply rooted in civilizational links, shared history, religion, culture, and strong people-to-people ties. In the modern era, it has evolved into a close economic, cultural, and technical partnership. Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, and this relationship, built on mutual trust and goodwill, has stood the test of time. India has come to the assistance of Sri Lanka at critical moments, most recently during the unprecedented economic crisis that Sri Lanka faced in 2022. India was glad to be able to play a key role in the economic stabilization and recovery of the country thereby demonstrating its commitment as a dependable neighbor and as a first responder to any crisis in the region,” said Foreign Secretary Misri ahead of PM Modi’s visit.
India and Sri Lanka are also expected to conclude an updated agreement on defense cooperation during PM Modi’s visit.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold discussions with the President of Sri Lanka to review progress made on the areas of cooperation agreed upon in the Joint Vision for ‘Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future’ adopted during the Sri Lankan President’s State Visit to India. The Prime Minister will also have meetings with senior dignitaries and political leaders.
Multiple agreements
The two leaders will also witness the exchange of multiple agreements related to energy connectivity, digitization, defense, health, and multisectoral grant assistance.
PM Modi is also scheduled to meet other political leaders of the nation before travelling to Anuradhapura with Dissanayake for the inauguration of development projects implemented with Indian financial assistance on Sunday.
In Anuradhapura, both leaders will pay respect at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple complex in Anuradhapura. PM Modi had also visited the temple, which holds a special significance in India-Sri Lanka civilizational partnership, during his visit to the country in 2015. Prime Minister Modi then visited Sri Lanka again in 2019.
During their discussions, both leaders will also be discussing all issues related to fishermen, including the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and fishing boats.
The Indian government maintains that it has attached the “highest priority” to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen and has been consistently taking up these issues through bilateral mechanisms, diplomatic channels, and various official interactions, including by the Prime Minister in his recent meeting with the Sri Lankan President on December 16, 2024.
(Agencies)
