Assistant High Commission of India, Kandy(Sri Lanka)

Prime Minister’s visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka (April 03 – 06, 2025)

High Commission of India
Colombo

PRESS RELEASE

Prime Minister’s visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka (April 03 – 06, 2025)

At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Bangkok, Thailand from 3 - 4 April 2025 to participate in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to be held on 4 April 2025, hosted by Thailand, the current BIMSTEC Chair, and for an Official Visit. This will be Prime Minister’s third visit to Thailand.

2. This would be the first physical meeting of the BIMSTEC Leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2018. The last i.e. 5th BIMSTEC Summit was held at Colombo, Sri Lanka inMarch 2022in virtual format. The 6th Summit’s theme is "BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open”. The Leaders are expected to deliberate on ways and means to infuse greater momentum to BIMSTEC cooperation during the Summit.

3. The Leaders are also expected to discuss various institution and capacity building measures to augment collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework. India has been taking a number of initiatives in BIMSTEC to strengthen regional cooperation and partnership, including in enhancing security; facilitating trade and investment; establishing physical, maritime and digital connectivity; collaborating in food, energy, climate and human security; promoting capacity building and skill development; and enhancing people-to-people ties.

4. On the bilateral front, Prime Minister is scheduled to have a meeting with the Prime Minister of Thailand on3 April 2025. During the meeting, the two Prime Ministers are expected to review bilateral cooperation and chart the way for future partnership between the countries. India and Thailand are maritime neighbours with shared civilizational bonds which are underpinned by cultural, linguistic, and religious ties.

5. From Thailand, Prime Minister will travel to Sri Lanka on a State Visit from 4 -6 April 2025, at the invitation of the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Anura Kumara Disanayaka.

6. During the visit, Prime Minister will hold discussions with the President of Sri Lanka to review progress made on the areas of cooperation agreed upon in the Joint Vision for "Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future” adopted during the Sri Lankan President’s State Visit to India. Prime Minister will also have meetings with senior dignitaries and political leaders. As part of the visit, Prime Minister will also travel to Anuradhapura for inauguration of development projects implemented with Indian financial assistance.

7. Prime Minister last visited Sri Lanka in 2019. Earlier, the President of Sri Lanka paid a State Visit to India as his first visit abroad after assuming office. India and Sri Lanka share civilizational bonds with strong cultural and historic links. This visit is part of regular high level engagements between the countries and will lend further momentum in deepening the multi-faceted partnership between India and Sri Lanka.

8. Prime Minister’s visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka, and his participation in the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will reaffirm India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, ‘Act East’ policy, ‘MAHASAGAR’ (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, and vision of the Indo-Pacific.

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Colombo
28 March 2025