NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressedconfidence that his visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka would furtherstrengthen India’s cordial ties with the maritime neighbours.
In his departure statementlink,Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he will meet President Ibrahim MohamedSolih in the Maldives and the top Sri Lankan leadership in Colombo.
“I am confident that my visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka will furtherstrengthen our close and cordial ties with our maritime neighbours, in linewith our ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’ and the vision of security and growthfor all in the region,” Narendra Modi said.
In his first overseas trip after his re-election, the Prime Minister willbe visiting the Maldives and Sri Lanka on June 8 and June 9, respectively,at the invitation of Maldives President Ibrahim Solih and Sri LankanPresident Maithripala Sirisena.
“My visit to the Maldives is reflective of the importance we both attach toour relationship as maritime neighbours and long-standing friends,”Narendra Modi said, describing Maldives as a “valued partner” with whomIndia shares deep bonds of history and culture.
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Narendra Modi said, “Our bilateral relations with the Maldives have beengreatly strengthened in the recent past. I am confident that my visit willfurther deepen our multifaceted partnership.”
Narendra Modi said his visit to Sri Lanka is to express solidarity with thegovernment and the people of Sri Lanka in the wake of the Easter Sundayterrorist attacks.
“India stands with Sri Lanka in the fight against terrorism. Our bilateralrelations with Sri Lanka have gained considerable momentum in the last fewyears. I look forward to meeting the Sri Lankan leadership during myvisit,” Narendra Modi said.
