Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation visit next week, traveling to Thailand from April 3 to 4 for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, followed by a State Visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), PM Modi will attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, hosted by Thailand, the current BIMSTEC Chair. This will mark his third visit to Thailand and the first in-person BIMSTEC Leaders’ Summit since 2018. The previous summit, hosted by Sri Lanka in 2022, was held virtually.
The theme of this year’s summit is “BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient, and Open.” Leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand will discuss strengthening regional cooperation, enhancing security, boosting trade and investment, and expanding connectivity across physical, maritime, and digital domains.
During his visit, PM Modi is scheduled to meet Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on April 3. The leaders will discuss bilateral ties and explore new avenues for economic and strategic collaboration. India and Thailand share strong historical, cultural, and maritime ties, which will be further reinforced through this engagement.
After his Thailand visit, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. The visit aims to strengthen the “Neighbourhood First” policy and review ongoing cooperation under the Joint Vision for Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future, which was adopted during Dissanayaka’s recent visit to India.
PM Modi will engage in high-level talks with the Sri Lankan leadership and oversee development projects in Anuradhapura, implemented with Indian financial assistance. His visit to Sri Lanka comes after a four-year gap, with his last trip taking place in 2019.
The MEA highlighted that India’s participation in the BIMSTEC Summit and engagements with Thailand and Sri Lanka reaffirm its commitment to:
- ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy – Prioritizing regional cooperation.
- ‘Act East’ Policy – Strengthening ties with Southeast Asia.
- ‘MAHASAGAR’ Vision – Promoting security and growth across the Indo-Pacific.
PM Modi’s visit underscores India’s strategic and economic interests in the Bay of Bengal region, enhancing diplomatic, trade, and security ties with its neighbors.
