Modi Sri Lanka visits: The afternoon welcome of the great ceremony at Colombo’s Independence Square – Watch | India News
Modisri Lanka visit in the afternoon: Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed on Friday night for a two-day visit in Sri Lanka and was greeted with a grand reception on Saturday at the historic Independence Square in the heart of the Sri Lanka capital Colombo.
This may be the first honor given to foreign leaders. The Prime Minister arrived in Colombo after visiting Thailand and was received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the square.
#watch | Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by etiquette in Colombo during his three-day visit to Sri Lanka starting yesterday.
Prime Minister PM Modi received by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Independence Square.
(Source-ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/6votsyacf8– ani (@ani) April 5, 2025
Prime Minister Modi landed in Colombo after his trip to Bangkok last night, where he participated in Bimstec’s summit (Bay of Bengal Multi-Section Technology and Economic Cooperation Initiative).
“PM @Narendramodi was received by the ceremony at the Independence Square in Colombo and was welcomed by President @anuradisanayake,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said on ‘x’.
“Bilateral discussions are intended to promote a partnership for the common future and mutual prosperity of our people,” he said. According to PTI, this is the first time that foreign leaders have been so welcomed on Independence Square.
A special welcome to the majestic Independence Square!
afternoon @narendramodi Welcomed by the President @anuradisanayake Ceremonial reception was held at Independence Square in Colombo.
Bilateral discussions to build a common future and a partnership for mutual prosperity… pic.twitter.com/cmeqzwsq3w– Randhir Jaiswal (@Meaindia) April 5, 2025
After the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi held delegation-level talks with President Dissanayake. The two sides are expected to present about 10 ambitious results, including a defense cooperation agreement and framework for deeper participation in the energy sector.
If signed, the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation would mark a major upward trajectory in the Indian Lanka Ministry of Defense, abandoning the painful chapters related to India, and withdrew from the island states about 35 years ago.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka comes at a time when the island countries show signs of recovery from economic pressure. Three years ago, the island nation was in trouble under the huge economic crisis, and India expanded its financial aid worth $4.5 billion. Two documents facilitated India’s debt restructuring to Sri Lanka after talks between Modi and Dissanayake, while the other could open currency exchange.
It is expected that the two parties will also have separate agreements sealed in the cooperation in the digital field. Later that day, Prime Minister Modi also planned to put a wreath in the IPKF (Indian Peace Forces) Memorial Hall. In an interview with PTI, India’s High Commissioner Colombo Santosh Jha said on Friday that New Delhi’s aid to island countries was “unprecedented” in terms of India’s aid to any country in the world.
“This is a great assistance and we will continue to work with Sri Lanka to provide IT assistance in various areas, which is very grateful here,” Jaha said. In Colombo, Modi and Dissanayake will also be building several projects specifically in the country with the assistance of India. The two leaders will also witness the virtual groundbreaking of Sampur’s solar project.
(with agent input)
