Colombo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo on a landmark three-day official visit, receiving a warm ceremonial welcome at Independence Square. The visit — the first bilateral trip by the Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka in several years — has ushered in a new era in India-Sri Lanka relations, with a renewed focus on defence cooperation, energy security, and the Tamil issue.
In a symbolic and powerful gesture, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conferred upon PM Modi the ‘Mithra Vibhushana’, Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour for foreign nationals, acknowledging India’s “steadfast friendship” and crucial support during some of the island nation’s most difficult times — including the 2019 Easter bombings, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent economic crisis.
Bridging the Past, Building the Future
While the ceremonial honours marked the warmth of the occasion, the visit was deeply strategic. During comprehensive bilateral talks, PM Modi addressed key concerns, including the arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities — a recurring issue in the maritime waters of the Palk Strait.
“This is a matter of livelihood for our fishermen,” Modi said. “We have discussed the immediate release of the fishermen and their boats, and we agree that this issue must be handled with humanity and urgency.”
On the long-standing Tamil issue, PM Modi made a clear and compassionate appeal, expressing hope for the full implementation of constitutional rights granted to Sri Lanka’s Tamil community. “I believe the Sri Lankan government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people with sincerity and inclusiveness,” he said, reaffirming India’s consistent diplomatic stance on Tamil reconciliation.
Defence Pact: First of Its Kind Since IPKF Era
One of the most significant outcomes of the visit is the signing of a landmark Defence Cooperation Pact — a first in nearly four decades since India’s controversial Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) deployment in the late 1980s.
The pact includes provisions for joint military exercises, high-level defence exchanges, training programs, and the sharing of maritime intelligence. It reflects a deepening of trust and shared strategic concerns, especially with both countries navigating the complexities of Indian Ocean security, rising Chinese influence, and regional maritime surveillance.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to India’s security, stating, “I have assured Prime Minister Modi that Sri Lankan territory will never be used against India’s strategic interests. India’s help during difficult times has been invaluable, and we value this friendship deeply.”
Energy Diplomacy: A Regional Game Changer
The Modi-Dissanayake meeting also marked a turning point in regional energy diplomacy, with India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates signing a tripartite agreement to develop Trincomalee — a port city in eastern Sri Lanka — into a regional energy hub.
A new multi-product energy pipeline will be constructed, along with storage facilities and infrastructure for clean energy. PM Modi and President Dissanayake also virtually inaugurated the Sampur solar power project, a key component of India’s green energy assistance in the region.
“The Sampur project is not just a solar plant — it’s a symbol of our shared commitment to clean energy and climate cooperation,” Modi said. He also highlighted India’s initiative to install solar rooftop systems across 5,000 religious institutions in Sri Lanka, generating 25 MW of green energy under a $17 million credit line.
Digital, Health, and Provincial Development Initiatives
Another key focus of the visit was multi-sectoral cooperation in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, where India announced a LKR 2.4 billion assistance package for socio-economic development. This includes funding for education, healthcare, livelihoods, and infrastructure in Tamil-majority regions — further aligning with India’s pro-Tamil developmental stance.
India also pledged support for Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, sharing Indian governance tech tools that have successfully been implemented in Aadhaar, UPI, and e-governance in India.
In the healthcare sector, India and Sri Lanka signed MoUs on medical cooperation and pharmacopoeial standards, aiming to harmonize the quality and safety benchmarks for medicines and facilitate smoother pharmaceutical trade and research collaborations.
Debt Restructuring and Economic Stabilization
India, which was among the first countries to assist Sri Lanka during its 2022 economic crisis, reiterated its commitment to being a reliable partner. A fresh agreement on debt restructuring cooperation was signed, focusing on mutual consultation and financial sustainability.
PM Modi reminded audiences of India’s neighbourhood-first policy, stating, “Our ties are not transactional, they are transformational. India will always stand by Sri Lanka in good times and bad.”
People-to-People Connect and Cultural Ties
Beyond policy, PM Modi’s visit also focused on reconnecting with the Indian diaspora and nurturing cultural bonds. He met members of the Indian community in Colombo and highlighted historical, spiritual, and civilizational ties between India and Sri Lanka, from Buddhism to Ramayana heritage.
Key Agreements Signed During the Visit
Here are the 10 major pacts inked during PM Modi’s visit:
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Defence Cooperation Pact: Formalizing joint military exercises, training, and maritime intelligence sharing.
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Grid Interconnectivity Agreement: Enabling electricity trade and strengthening energy security.
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Trincomalee Energy Hub MoU: Tripartite deal (India-Sri Lanka-UAE) to develop an energy corridor.
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Sampur Solar Power Project: Inauguration of a large-scale renewable energy initiative.
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Digital Transformation Support: Indian digital governance tools to aid Sri Lanka’s public services.
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Solar Rooftop Project: Installation of solar panels in 5,000 religious sites across Sri Lanka.
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Eastern Province Development Aid: ₹2.4 billion assistance for Tamil-majority regions.
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Health Sector Cooperation: MoU for exchange in medical services and health infrastructure.
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Pharmacopoeial Standards Agreement: Enhancing medicine quality and regulatory cooperation.
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Debt Restructuring Framework: A joint roadmap to assist Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
PM Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka has been described by analysts as “strategically layered”, carefully balancing regional security interests, Tamil reconciliation, and economic cooperation.
With the Mithra Vibhushana honour, a red-carpet reception, and the sheer breadth of signed agreements, Colombo has made it clear: India is Sri Lanka’s most reliable partner.
As India and Sri Lanka rechart their journey in the 21st century, this visit may well go down as a defining moment — one where trust, mutual respect, and regional unity took precedence over history’s difficult chapters.
