April 5, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo today for a significant three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties with Sri Lanka. This marks his first visit to the island nation since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assumed office last year.
The visit is expected to result in several crucial agreements across multiple sectors including defence, energy, digital infrastructure, health, and trade. A highlight of the visit will be the signing of a joint venture between India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board to establish a 120-megawatt solar power plant in Trincomalee—an important step in addressing Sri Lanka’s energy requirements.
PM Modi’s visit comes in the wake of India’s continued commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s post-crisis recovery following its severe economic collapse in 2022. India had played a pivotal role in helping Colombo secure a $2.9 billion IMF bailout during that period, and President Dissanayake had earlier expressed gratitude for India’s "positive and impactful role" in assisting Sri Lanka.
Trade, maritime security, and defence cooperation are also high on the agenda. The timing of the visit is significant, as it follows the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s recent resolution demanding the retrieval of the Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka—an issue that has long affected fishing communities on both sides of the Palk Strait.
Strategic cooperation between the two nations is set to deepen with a proposed defence agreement that could pave the way for joint maritime surveillance, expanded military exercises, and logistical support. If finalized, it would mark a new phase in India-Sri Lanka defence relations since the withdrawal of the Indian Peacekeeping Force over three decades ago.
President Dissanayake, who came to power after the fall of the Rajapaksa regime, has reiterated Sri Lanka’s assurance that it will not allow its territory to be used in ways that could harm India’s security or regional stability—an assurance that continues to be welcomed by New Delhi.
Today’s itinerary includes a ceremonial welcome for PM Modi at 9:10 am, followed by a one-on-one meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart at 10:20 am and delegation-level talks at 11 am. Key agreements are expected to be signed by 11:30 am, followed by the virtual inauguration of India-backed development projects in Sri Lanka.
In the afternoon, PM Modi will lay a wreath at the Indian Peace Keeping Force memorial. Later in the evening, he will attend a formal banquet hosted by President Dissanayake and meet with dignitaries at the Taj Samudra Hotel.
With regional geopolitics and economic recovery in the backdrop, PM Modi’s visit is being closely watched for its outcomes, particularly in areas of strategic collaboration and people-to-people ties between the two neighbouring nations.