A warm reception in Colombo indicates deepening bilateral relations.
Officially, on Friday, Prime Minister Modi moved to Sri Lanka for a three-day visit that began with full ceremonial honours at Independence Square in Colombo. The visit shows that the two neighbouring countries share strong ties in diplomacy and culture. On India’s part, the visit is a strategic outreach in the region in strengthening partnerships, boosting development cooperation and deepening cultural connections.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed Modi with grand state honours, signalling Colombo’s emphasis on strengthening bilateral ties with New Delhi. The traditional performances and cultural displays at the welcome ceremony symbolised the long-standing historical and civilisational ties shared between the two countries.
Regional Diplomacy After Thailand
PM Modi arrived in Sri Lanka on a state visit following his productive visit to Thailand to attend the BIMSTEC Summit and participate in crucial bilateral engagements with his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Weather could not restrict aggrandising. Welcome.
At the Bandaranaike International Airport, on his arrival in Colombo, PM Modi was warmly welcomed alongside an honoured delegation comprised of six Sri Lankan ministers:
- Minister Vijitha Herath – Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism
- Minister Nalinda Jayatissa – Health and Mass Media
- Minister Anil Jayantha – Labour
- Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar – Fisheries
- Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj — Women and Child Affairs
- Minister Chrishantha Abeysena – Science and Technology
“Landed in Colombo. He expressed his gratitude to the ministers and dignitaries who welcomed him at the airport. Looking forward to the programmes in Sri Lanka,” he also posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Cultural ties: Puppet Show and Diaspora Welcome
PM Modi was received warmly by members of the Indian diaspora and local cultural performers at his hotel. A traditional puppet show entertained him on the occasion. The Prime Minister passionately interacted with the diaspora, praising them for being a vital link between the two countries.
The development-focused agenda in Anuradhapura
One of the major highlights in the itinerary scheduled for PM Modi is a visit to the holy city of Anuradhapura, where he will launch several India-aided community development projects.
Joint Vision for Regional Progress
In discussions with President Dissanayake, both heads will assess progress made under their co-development model: “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.”. Expectations will be on issues such as: Infrastructure and education development Regional connectivity Renewable energy and digital transformation Economic cooperation and tourism Yoga Diplomacy and Cultural Soft Power Vyasa Kalyanasundaram, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, praised PM Modi’s global championing of yoga. He noted how yoga has taken root in Sri Lanka in schools, wellness centres, and corporate wellness initiatives, thanks to India’s proselytising efforts.
India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy in action
In this context, PM Modi’s visit provides further evidence of India’s commitment to its neighbours while showcasing India’s reliability as a partner in regional development. As India further enhances its ties with these countries in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, the visit is being considered a significant event in advancing shared prosperity and stability. Source ANINEWS
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