PM Modi's visit is a reflection of the solidarity of Indian people with the people of Sri Lanka during difficult times. The visit will send a strong message to the international community regarding the normalcy regained in the current security situation of Sri Lanka
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka on Sunday is a part of the first overseas visit following his landslide victory on May 23 in the Lok Sabha election that gave rise to a rock solid mandate of 303 seats.
PM Modi is the first foreign head of government to visit Sri Lanka after the April 21 terror attacks. Three churches in Sri Lanka and three luxury hotels in the commercial capital Colombo were targeted in a series of coordinated terrorist suicide bombings. Later that day, there were smaller explosions at a housing complex in Dematagoda and a guest house in Dehiwala.
Modi's visit is a reflection of the solidarity of Indian people with the people of Sri Lanka during difficult times. The visit will send a strong message to the international community regarding the normalcy regained in the current security situation of Sri Lanka. This could also have substantial positive impact on the foreign tourist inflows into Sri Lanka, and on the Sri Lankan economy at large. Ever since the attack, tourism in the country had taken a hit.
Started the Sri Lanka visit by paying my respect at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack, St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade.
My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured. pic.twitter.com/RTdmNGcDyg
India sent out the message that terrorism and radicalism pose a collective threat to humanity at large. The larger message India sent out to the international community was that the recent attacks in Sri Lanka, was not just against Sri Lanka but against the world.
Also read: PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka, pay tribute to those killed in Easter terror attacks
Terrorism anywhere in the world attacks the conscience of humanity as a whole; it attacks the human spirit that we are one. Modi's visit has highlighted India's stated position that the divisive Jihadi ideology needs to be isolated and eliminated, as it is a threat to regional security and global peace. PM Modi has offered all possible assistance in this regard, should Sri Lanka require.
India has always been a first responder to Sri Lanka’s needs and priorities. Whether it be the flood or drought, India has been the first to respond with men and material. India has also completed several people oriented development projects all across the island, solely as gifts from people of India.
I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again.
Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka.
India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka pic.twitter.com/n8PA8pQnoJ
India-Sri Lanka relations have seen landmark changes in the last five years. PM Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka after a gap of 28 years, with his historic visit to the island in March 2015. He visited Sri Lanka again in May 2017 as Chief Guest at the International Vesak Day celebrations. The decisive mandate for PM Modi in the recent elections is a reflection of support for continuation of the Government’s policies. The continuation and further strengthening of these policies is also in Sri Lanka’s interest.
The visit of PM Modi demonstrates the priority India attaches to its ‘Neighbourhood-First Policy’, & ‘SAGAR Doctrine’ [ Security and Growth for All in the Region]. This is a visit to convey to the people of Sri Lanka that they are not alone, and India stands with them shoulder to shoulder, in their hour of need. Also, it cements India's growing stature in the neighborhood where China has been trying to use its money to influence relations of other countries with India.
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