Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday depart on a visit to Republic of Maldives and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka on June 8-9, his first overseas visit after his re-election.
Ahead of his visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka , at the invitation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and President Maithripala Sirisena, respectively, the PM expressed confidence that his visit to the two countries will further strengthen India’s close and cordial ties with its maritime neighbours, in line with its ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region.
‘I am confident that my visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka will further strengthen our close and cordial ties with our maritime neighbours, in line with our ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region,’the PM said in his departure statement before his visit to the two countries.
The PM said his visit to Sri Lanka is to express our solidarity with the Government and the people of Sri Lanka in the wake of the terrible terrorist attacks there last Easter on 21 April 2019.
‘My visit to Sri Lanka is to express our solidarity with the Government and the people of Sri Lanka in the wake of the terrible terrorist attacks there last Easter on 21 April 2019. India stands with Sri Lanka in the fight against terrorism?’the PM said.
Noting that India’s bilateral relations with Sri Lanka has gained considerable momentum in the last few years, the PM said he looked forward to meeting the Sri Lankan leadership during his visit.
‘Our bilateral relations with Sri Lanka have gained considerable momentum in the last few years. I had the pleasure of meeting President Sirisena during his recent visit to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government. I look forward to meeting the Sri Lankan leadership during my visit,’the PM said. .
The PM said his visit to Maladives was reflective of the importance attached by the two countries to theur relationship as maritime neighbours and long-standing friends. He expressed confidence that his visit will further deepen multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
‘We regard the Maldives as a valued partner with whom we share deep bonds of history and culture. Our bilateral relations with the Maldives have been greatly strengthened in the recent past. I am confident that my visit will further deepen our multifaceted partnership’the PM said.
