March 28, Colombo (LNW): India’s Ministry of External Affairs has officially announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a diplomatic visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka next week, marking a significant step in regional cooperation and bilateral relations.
According to the statement, Modi will first travel to Bangkok from April 03 – 04, 2025 at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
His visit coincides with the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, which Thailand, as the current chair, will host on 4 April. This marks Modi’s third official visit to Thailand, underscoring India’s deepening engagement with its regional partners.
The statement further highlighted that this will be the first in-person meeting of BIMSTEC leaders since the 2018 Kathmandu Summit. The previous summit, held in Colombo in 2022, took place virtually.
The theme for this year’s summit, “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open,” will guide discussions amongst leaders on revitalising cooperation and fostering stronger economic and security ties within the region.
Following his engagements in Thailand, Modi will proceed to Sri Lanka for a state visit from 4–6 April 2025, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties and assess progress on collaborative initiatives outlined in the Joint Vision for Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future, which was formulated during the Sri Lankan leader’s state visit to India.
During his stay, Modi is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with the Sri Lankan President and other senior officials, addressing key areas of economic and strategic cooperation.
He will also meet political leaders and dignitaries, reaffirming India’s support for Sri Lanka’s development agenda. As part of his itinerary, the Indian Prime Minister will travel to the historic city of Anuradhapura, where he is expected to inaugurate several development projects funded through Indian financial assistance.
This will be Modi’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019. It follows President Dissanayake’s visit to India, which marked his first international trip after assuming office.
The longstanding cultural, historical, and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka are expected to receive a renewed boost through this high-level engagement.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised that Modi’s visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka underscores India’s commitment to its Neighbourhood First and Act East policies, as well as its broader MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and Indo-Pacific strategic frameworks.
