President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Sri Lanka received Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived for a three-day state visit, a gesture symbol of the cordial relations between the two countries. An important thing to notice of the event it comes amid a visit by a foreign leader who has been accorded this honour at this symbolic venue for the first time.
Following his participation in Bangkok at the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit, Prime Minister Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday evening. The purpose of his visit is to further strengthen bilateral ties across different potential branches, including energy, defence, and regional connectivity.
The high-level talks were a step towards building a ‘partnership for a shared future and mutual prosperity’: External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. The initial contacts took place with Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lanka President Dissanayake engaging for half an hour in one-on-one talks before the delegation-level talks between Indian and Sri Lankan officials.
Officials said such a visit is expected to see the announcement of approximately 10 key outcomes. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation is one of the most significant and the first of its kind between the two nations. It aims to institutionalise regular joint military exercises, officer training programmes and high-level exchanges. It may also help prepare for future bilateral cooperation in the defence manufacturing field.
Both sides are also working to reach agreements on connecting the electricity grids of India and Sri Lanka and jointly developing an energy hub in Trincomalee with the UAE. These initiatives indicate a growing strategic partnership that is supposed to contribute towards regional stability, economic growth and energy security in South Asia.
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