Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Thailand and Sri Lanka from 3 to 6 April, at the invitation of the respective leaders of both countries. The visit will include his participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, where he will engage with regional leaders on pressing issues related to cooperation within the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
The 6th BIMSTEC Summit, scheduled for 4 April in Bangkok, will be the first in-person meeting of BIMSTEC leaders since the 4th Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018. The 5th Summit, held virtually in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in March 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marked a shift from traditional physical meetings. This year’s summit will focus on the theme “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient, and Open,” and aims to rejuvenate regional cooperation.
During the summit, leaders will discuss several key areas to strengthen collaboration, including security, trade, maritime and digital connectivity, food security, and capacity building. India has been an active participant in advancing BIMSTEC’s goals, particularly in fostering regional partnerships, boosting trade, and enhancing people-to-people ties.
On 3rd April, PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The two leaders will review the progress of bilateral relations and explore opportunities for further cooperation between the two nations, which share strong historical, cultural, and civilizational ties.
After the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka for a state visit from 4 to 6 April, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. The leaders are set to review the progress on areas of cooperation outlined in the Joint Vision for “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future,” adopted during President Disanayaka’s visit to India.
As part of his visit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Anuradhapura to inaugurate several development projects financed by India. The visit aims to further strengthen the long-standing cultural, historical, and civilizational ties between India and Sri Lanka, and to deepen their multifaceted partnership.
