PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka in April
What's the story
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka in April 2025, with an emphasis on enhancing connectivity and economic relations. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended the invitation for the visit during his two-day visit to New Delhi in mid-December 2024. This was President Dissanayake's first overseas trip since he was elected in September 2024.
Debt relief
India converts $20M debt into grants, easing Sri Lanka's burden
During President Dissanayake's India visit, the Indian government announced the conversion of $20 million payments for seven completed Line of Credit projects into grants. This is aimed at easing Sri Lanka's debt burden and comes after India's generous $4 billion support during Sri Lanka's economic crisis in 2022. At the time, the Sri Lankan president assured his country wouldn't allow its territory to be used against Indian interests.
Strategic talks
PM Modi's upcoming visit to address key issues
PM Modi's upcoming visit is likely to address several key issues. These include discussions on a new ferry route between Rameshwaram and Talaimanner and a multi-product petroleum pipeline linking Nagapattinam to Trincomalee with Indian Oil Corporation's involvement. India is also helping Sri Lanka adopt UPI for digital transactions, boosting cross-border payments since its launch alongside Mauritius in February 2024.