India and Sri Lanka signed a significant defence cooperation pact for the primary time ever after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake spoke.
The 2 nations signed a couple of extra pacts, together with one to develop Trincomalee as an power hub. One other settlement was signed to offer India’s multi-sectoral grant help to the japanese area of Sri Lanka. The 2 leaders additionally nearly inaugurated the Sampur solar energy undertaking.
The talks observe Mr Modi’s arrival within the Sri Lankan capital after his go to to Bangkok the place he attended a summit of the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Financial Cooperation).
In maybe the primary of such honour given to a overseas chief, Mr Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome on the historic Independence Sq. within the Sri Lankan capital, the place he was additionally obtained by President Dissanayake.
Glimpses from the ceremonial welcome in Colombo this morning.@anuradisanayake pic.twitter.com/88k2T1NN20
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2025
The Independence Sq. holds significance because it takes it title from the Independence Memorial Corridor constructed to commemorate the nation’s independence from British rule in 1948.
“PM @narendramodiwas welcomed by President @anuradisanayake with a ceremonial reception on the Independence Sq. in Colombo,” Exterior Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on ‘X’.
“Bilateral discussions to foster a partnership for a shared future & mutual prosperity of our folks, lie forward,” he stated.
Mr Modi’s go to to Sri Lanka comes at a time when the latter is simply simply recovering from financial stress. India prolonged monetary help value USD 4.5 billion when the island nation was reeling below monetary disaster 3 years again.
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake additionally honoured Mr Modi with Mitra Vibhushana, the very best award to a overseas head of state, and stated that Mr Modi extremely deserves this honour.
In a joint press assertion alongside PM Modi, Dissanayake stated, “I’m happy to announce that the Authorities of Sri Lanka has determined to confer upon him (PM Narendra Modi) the very best Sri Lankan honour to a overseas head of state/head of government- Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana. This prestigious honour, which was launched in 2008, is conferred upon heads of states and authorities for his or her friendship, and honourable Prime Minister Modi extremely deserves this honour; that’s what we firmly imagine.”
In one other improvement, Mr Modi additionally introduced a giant reduction to a number of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and stated that he had additionally raised their considerations and declared that Sri Lanka has agreed to launch any Indian fishermen instantly and in addition promised to return their boats. Mr Modi’s go to additionally comes at a time when Tamil Nadu has handed a decision to retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka – thought to be a delicate spot for fishermen within the state pertaining to the long-standing dispute over fishing rights across the island.
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