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PM Modi’s Sri Lanka Visit: Strengthening Ties and Charting a Shared Future
On April 4, 2025, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Colombo, marking the beginning of a historic three-day state visit to Sri Lanka. This visit, his fourth to the island nation since taking office in 2014, underscores India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy and its strategic partnership with Sri Lanka. Coming shortly after his participation in the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, PM Modi’s trip to Sri Lanka was not just a diplomatic formality but a pivotal moment in reinforcing bilateral ties at a time when the region faces evolving geopolitical dynamics.
As the first foreign leader to be hosted by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake since he assumed office in September 2024, Modi’s visit carried symbolic weight and delivered tangible outcomes, ranging from defense cooperation to energy partnerships.
A Warm and Historic Welcome
PM Modi’s arrival in Colombo was met with an unprecedented gesture of goodwill. Despite rainy weather, five senior Sri Lankan ministers, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, greeted him at Bandaranaike International Airport. The following day, on April 5, he received a ceremonial guard of honor at the iconic Independence Square—a first for any foreign dignitary in Sri Lanka’s history. This grand welcome was more than a ceremonial flourish; it symbolized the deepening trust and camaraderie between the two nations.
Adding to the significance, President Dissanayake conferred upon Modi the Mitra Vibhushana,” Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honor for a foreign leader. In his remarks, Modi humbly accepted the award, stating it belonged not just to him but to the 1.4 billion people of India. This exchange set the tone for a visit focused on mutual respect, shared history, and a vision for a collaborative future.
Strategic Talks and Key Agreements
The centerpiece of the visit was the delegation-level talks between PM Modi and President Dissanayake on April 5. The discussions spanned the full spectrum of India-Sri Lanka relations, with a particular emphasis on security, energy, and economic cooperation. The two leaders signed seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), the most significant of which was a landmark defense cooperation pact. This agreement, the first of its kind between the two nations, marks a turning point in their military ties, which had been cautious since the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) from Sri Lanka in 1990.
The defence MoU is seen as a strategic move to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in Sri Lanka, where Beijing has invested heavily through its Belt and Road Initiative. President Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment not to allow its territory to be used against India’s security interests—a promise Modi described as the “shield of a true friend.” This assurance is particularly significant given China’s recent pledge of a $3.7 billion investment to build an oil refinery near Hambantota port, a project that has raised concerns in New Delhi about Beijing’s expanding footprint.
Beyond defence, the leaders focused on energy and connectivity. They virtually inaugurated the Sampur solar power project in Trincomalee, a 120-megawatt facility funded jointly by India and Sri Lanka. This initiative aligns with Sri Lanka’s goal of reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, a pressing need after the country faced a severe power crisis in 2022 due to depleted foreign reserves. Additionally, an agreement on grid interconnectivity was signed, opening the door for Sri Lanka to potentially export electricity in the future—an economic lifeline for the debt-stricken nation.
Other MoUs covered healthcare, digitalization, and multi-sectoral grant assistance for Sri Lanka’s eastern province. The digital cooperation pact, modeled after India’s Aadhaar system, aims to roll out a unique digital identity project in Sri Lanka, further cementing technological collaboration. These agreements reflect a holistic approach to partnership, addressing both immediate needs and long-term development.
Addressing Regional Concerns
PM Modi’s visit also tackled longstanding regional issues, notably the recurring arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities. This has been a sore point in bilateral relations, with fishing communities on both sides of the Palk Strait caught in a decades-long dispute over maritime boundaries and fishing rights. During the talks, Modi emphasized the need for a “humane approach” to resolve the issue, securing a commitment from Sri Lanka for the immediate release of detained fishermen and the return of their boats. While this does not fully resolve the complex Katchatheevu dispute—recently reignited by a Tamil Nadu resolution calling for the islet’s retrieval—it signals a willingness to address the human cost of the conflict.
Modi also met with leaders of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community in Colombo, reaffirming India’s support for their aspirations for equality, dignity, and justice within a united Sri Lanka. This outreach highlights India’s delicate balancing act: fostering strong ties with the Sri Lankan government while advocating for the rights of the Tamil minority, a constituency with deep cultural and historical ties to India.
A Nod to History and Culture
On April 6, Modi and Dissanayake are scheduled to travel to Anuradhapura, a historic city sacred to Buddhists, where they will pay respects at the Mahabodhi temple and inaugurate two India-funded railway projects. This visit not only strengthens cultural bonds—rooted in shared civilizational heritage—but also showcases India’s tangible contributions to Sri Lanka’s infrastructure. Earlier in the day, Modi laid a wreath at the IPKF memorial, honoring the Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the peacekeeping mission in the late 1980s. This gesture acknowledged a painful chapter in bilateral history while signaling a forward-looking reset in relations.
Geopolitical Context and Economic Recovery
The timing of Modi’s visit is critical. Sri Lanka is emerging from a devastating economic crisis that peaked in 2022 when it defaulted on its foreign debt and faced shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. India played a pivotal role in its recovery, extending $4.5 billion in financial assistance—an unprecedented level of support for any country. Modi’s visit builds on this goodwill, with additional agreements on debt restructuring and a currency swap arrangement expected to be formalized, further aiding Sri Lanka’s stabilization.
Meanwhile, the visit occurs against the backdrop of China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Beijing’s investments, including the Hambantota port lease and the proposed oil refinery, have deepened its economic leverage over Sri Lanka. India, wary of losing influence in its strategic backyard, is countering with development partnerships and security cooperation. Modi’s trip, following Dissanayake’s visit to New Delhi in December 2024, reinforces India’s role as a reliable neighbor, contrasting with China’s creditor-driven approach.
Public Sentiment and Local Dynamics
Interestingly, the visit sparked domestic debate in Sri Lanka. Ahead of Modi’s arrival, animal rights activists protested the roundup of stray dogs in Colombo, a move they attributed to preparations for the high-profile visit. Placards reading “Stop the cruel removal of our community dogs” and questioning Sri Lanka’s tourism image highlighted a tension between diplomatic optics and local concerns. While a minor footnote, it reflects the broader challenge of balancing international engagements with grassroots realities.
Looking Ahead
PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka on April 4-6, 2025, was a masterstroke of diplomacy, blending symbolism with substance. It reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s progress while addressing shared security concerns in the Indian Ocean. The defence pact, energy projects, and cultural exchanges signal a robust partnership poised to withstand regional rivalries. For Sri Lanka, recovering from economic turmoil and navigating great power competition, India’s support offers a lifeline and a counterweight to China’s influence.
As Modi departed Colombo, the message was clear: India and Sri Lanka are not just neighbors but partners in a shared destiny. With the ink drying on new agreements and the echoes of ceremonial honours still resonating, this visit has laid the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient bilateral relationship—one that promises mutual prosperity and regional stability in the years to come.
