Colombo | April 5, 2025 — India and Sri Lanka took a significant step forward in their strategic partnership with the signing of a landmark defence cooperation agreement—the first of its kind between the two nations. The development came following bilateral talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during the Indian leader's three-day state visit to the island nation.
The visit marked a series of high-level engagements, culminating in the signing of multiple strategic and economic agreements aimed at deepening regional cooperation. Notably, both nations agreed to jointly develop Trincomalee into a major regional energy hub, with India committing grant assistance for multi-sectoral development projects in Sri Lanka’s eastern provinces.
Highlighting the significance of the visit, Prime Minister Modi was conferred the Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana, the island nation’s highest civilian honour for foreign nationals. President Dissanayake, hosting his first official state guest since assuming office, praised Modi’s leadership and longstanding contribution to regional stability.
“I am pleased to announce that the Government of Sri Lanka has decided to confer upon him the highest Sri Lankan honour—Sri Lanka Mithra Vibhushana. Prime Minister Modi highly deserves this recognition; that is what we firmly believe,” President Dissanayake said during the ceremonial presentation.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi also virtually inaugurated the Sampur solar power project alongside President Dissanayake—an initiative expected to bolster Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity and reinforce India’s commitment to sustainable development in the region.
Earlier, PM Modi was accorded an unprecedented ceremonial welcome at Colombo’s historic Independence Square. The gesture—bestowed for the first time on a visiting dignitary—underscored the symbolic depth of the Indo-Lankan partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted the significance of the event on social media, stating: “A special welcome at Sri Lanka’s majestic Independence Square… Bilateral discussions to foster a partnership for a shared future and mutual prosperity of our people lie ahead.”
Prime Minister Modi was warmly received by members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Colombo on Friday. A cultural program, featuring traditional performances including a puppet show, welcomed the delegation and reflected the enduring people-to-people ties between the two nations.
As part of his itinerary, PM Modi will also visit the sacred city of Anuradhapura, where he is expected to inaugurate several India-backed development initiatives. This marks his first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019, reinforcing New Delhi’s strategic outreach to its southern maritime neighbour at a time of regional realignment.
The latest agreements are seen as part of a broader strategy to enhance cooperation in areas such as energy security, connectivity, defence, and cultural exchange—solidifying India’s role as a reliable development partner and regional stakeholder.
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