PM Modi's Sri Lanka Visit; Weaving a new chapter India-Sri Lanka relations

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka from this week, marks a crucial moment in the evolving relationship between the two nations.

- By DR.AHMED MUYEEN FAROOQI The writer is Special Correspondent of Prasar Bharati in Colombo and an officer of Indian Information Service

The Indian leader has made larger visits to the island nation, in 2015, 2017 and the most recent in 2019. The first two visits involved major bilateral exchanges while the visit in 2019 was a mark of solidarity in the aftermath of the Easter attacks.

This current visit is being anticipated for quite some time and it now comes at a time when Sri Lanka has had a significant political transformation and seeks to leverage India’s burgeoning economic and technological prowess for mutual benefit.

Sri Lanka’s Political Shift and Implications for Bilateral Relations

In September last year, Sri Lanka voted for a radical change, giving a crucial mandate to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Belonging to a party which had an anti India stance, President Dissanayake showed that his government was eager to work with India, in a positive manner, when he made New Delhi, his first port of call.

During his visit in December 2024, President Dissanayake and Prime Minister Modi discussed enhancing bilateral ties, focusing on energy cooperation, including plans to supply modified natural gas to Sri Lanka and connect the power grids of both countries. These discussions highlighted a mutual commitment to strengthening the partnership amidst Sri Lanka’s evolving political landscape.

Sri Lanka’s leader’s visit to India and his exchanges with Prime Minister Modi exemplified his pragmatic approach while realising that India is a crucial partner for the island, one who can be dependable in crises or otherwise.

India’s Emerging Role

India has gained considerable credibility as a voice of Global south. Holding the Presidency of G20, India has given a voice to those, who were not represented at the forum, while also batting for presence of African union in the multilateral grouping.