PM Modi is all set to travel next week. These two visits will be Thailand and Sri Lanka. He is also expected to visit Bangkok to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and hold high-level discussions concerning the strengthening of regional cooperation.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PM Modi is traveling to Bangkok April 3-4, during which time he will be at the invitation of Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for April 4. Such summit takes place under the current BIMSTEC Chair, Thailand; this would then be PM Modi’s third visit to that country.
It will be the first in-person summit of BIMSTEC leaders after the Kathmandu Summit in 2018. Similar to the fifth BIMSTEC summit-in-Colombo, this summit held in March 2022 was done virtually. The theme of this summit is called “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient, and Open”. The leaders of member countries are expected to discuss certain policies to strengthen regional cooperation and economic integration.
As per the MEA, the summit will primarily dwell on institution-building, capacity enhancement, and deeper collaboration within BIMSTEC. India, along with other’s key contributors, has made effort in building regional cooperation through trade, security, maritime connectivity, energy, climate action, and people-to-people exchanges.
Bilateral Talks with Thailand
PM Modi is expected to meet with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on April 3 for bilateral talks that will address all issues pertinent to bilateral cooperation, regional stability, and future partnerships. India and Thailand are maritime neighbors bound by deep cultural, linguistic, and religious ties that have continuously strengthened their diplomatic relations.
State Visit to Sri Lanka
Later, PM will go on to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 on a State Visit, accepting the invitation by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. They will strengthen bilateral relations and review progress made on the joint dealings about the “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future” vision that was signed during President Dissanayaka’s tenure in India.
PM Modi is likely to hold discussions with Sri Lankan leaders and dignitaries on various matters, including economic cooperation, development projects, and security collaboration. Ratification of development projects supported by Indian financial assistance will be part of his travel schedule, during which he will travel to Anuradhapura.
This will be PM Modi’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019. Sri Lanka’s President had earlier given India the honor of being the first country for official visits after assuming office, which speaks volumes about the relationship between the two countries.
Strengthening Regional Ties
According to the MEA, PM Modi’s visits to Thailand and Sri Lanka and his participation in the BIMSTEC Summit reaffirm India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, ‘Act East’ policy, and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision for regional growth.
The two nations share a common thread of history and culture, and this visit is expected to bring about an even stronger partnership in innumerable domains. The high-profile engagements in Thailand and Sri Lanka shall inject new momentum into India’s role in the regional diplomacy and economic collaboration of South and Southeast Asia. source ANINEWS
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