PM Modi to Travel to Sri Lanka Following BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand

New Delhi, March 28 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing for official visits to Thailand and Sri Lanka from April 03 to April 06, further emphasizing India's dedication to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, 'Act East' strategy, and 'MAHASAGAR' initiative alongside its vision for the Indo-Pacific.

At the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, PM Modi will be in Bangkok from April 03-04 to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. The summit, set for April 04, will be chaired by Thailand, the current BIMSTEC leader. This marks PM Modi's third trip to Thailand.

This summit represents the first face-to-face gathering of BIMSTEC leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018. The previous, 5th BIMSTEC Summit took place virtually in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in March 2022.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the visit, stating, "The leaders are expected to discuss strategies to enhance momentum for BIMSTEC cooperation during the Summit."

The theme for the 6th summit is "BIMSTEC -- Prosperous, Resilient and Open." The MEA pointed out that discussions will center on institutional and capacity-building initiatives to bolster collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework.

"India has undertaken numerous initiatives in BIMSTEC to enhance regional cooperation and partnerships, including boosting security; facilitating trade and investment; establishing physical, maritime, and digital connectivity; collaborating on food, energy, climate, and human security; promoting capacity building and skill development; and strengthening people-to-people connections," the statement noted.

On a bilateral note, PM Modi will meet with Prime Minister Shinawatra on April 03 to assess current cooperation and outline a roadmap for future collaborations between the two nations. India and Thailand enjoy robust civilizational links, with profound cultural, linguistic, and religious connections, further solidified by their maritime closeness.

Following his visit to Thailand, PM Modi will head to Sri Lanka for a State Visit from April 04-06 at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

During this visit, he will engage with President Dissanayake to review the advancements made in areas of collaboration highlighted in the Joint Vision for "Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future," which was adopted during the Sri Lankan President's State Visit to India.

Apart from high-level discussions, PM Modi will meet with senior officials and political leaders. As part of his engagements in Sri Lanka, he will visit Anuradhapura to inaugurate development projects financed with Indian assistance.

PM Modi last visited Sri Lanka in 2019. Notably, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake chose India as his first official foreign visit after taking office, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.

India and Sri Lanka share deep-rooted civilizational and historical connections, and this visit is anticipated to further enhance their multifaceted partnership.

The MEA emphasized the importance of this trip, stating, "The Prime Minister's visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka, along with his participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, will reaffirm India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy, 'Act East' strategy, 'MAHASAGAR' (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, and the Indo-Pacific outlook."