On April 5, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka met at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. During his three-day visit to Sri Lanka, PM Modi is seeking to deepen bilateral ties with the goal of “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.” This meeting was a pivotal moment in that trip.
As a sign of the significance Colombo places on the India-Sri Lanka relationship, the visit started with a historic ceremonial welcome at Independence Square, which was the first for any visiting leader in Sri Lanka.
After attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand and holding bilateral discussions with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM Modi is now visiting Sri Lanka. Despite the rainy weather, he was welcomed by six senior Sri Lankan ministers when he arrived in Colombo. In order to meet Sri Lanka’s energy needs, PM Modi is anticipated to sign important agreements during his visit in the areas of trade, digital infrastructure, defense, and health. One such agreement is a joint venture for a solar power plant in Trincomalee.
The visit also includes PM Modi’s visit to Anuradhapura, where he will officially launch Indian-funded development projects. India’s efforts to assist Sri Lanka in recovering from its economic crisis in 2022 include these initiatives. The visit coincides with a focus on regional cooperation and development partnerships, as both nations seek to strengthen their collaboration in a number of areas.
PM Modi engaged with members of the Indian diaspora and attended a traditional puppet show in addition to diplomatic engagements, demonstrating the close cultural ties between Sri Lanka and India. The visit, which builds on President Dissanayake’s December 2024 visit to India, is regarded as a major advancement in bilateral relations.
