Neighbourhood First, Always

At its core, the visit reinforces India’s Neighbourhood First policy—an ongoing effort to foster peace, cooperation, and mutual respect in South Asia.

With the warmth of the welcome, the depth of the dialogue, and the spiritual undertones of the visit, PM Modi’s journey to Sri Lanka was more than just a diplomatic stop—it was a reaffirmation of a friendship that continues to weather every storm, even the literal ones.

Hundreds of locals and members of the Indian diaspora braved heavy rain to give a warm and enthusiastic reception to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Sri Lanka. In a special gesture of welcome, several top ministers from President Dissanayake’s cabinet—Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, Labour Minister Anil Jayantha, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, and Science and Technology Minister Chrishantha Abeysena—personally greeted Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport. Despite the inclement weather, crowds also gathered outside the airport and at the hotel to welcome him with great enthusiasm.

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Colombo directly after attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.

“The India-Sri Lanka relationship is deeply rooted in civilizational links, shared history, religion, culture, and strong people-to-people ties. In the modern era, it has evolved into a close economic, cultural, and technical partnership. Sri Lanka remains an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. This enduring relationship, built on mutual trust and goodwill, has stood the test of time. India has consistently extended support to Sri Lanka in critical moments—most recently during the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022. We were pleased to play a key role in the country’s economic stabilization and recovery, underscoring India’s commitment as a reliable neighbour and first responder in the region,” said Misri.