PM Modi to Visit Thailand and Sri Lanka in April for BIMSTEC Summit and Bilateral Talks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit two countries next week, including Bangkok between April 3-4 for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and Sri Lanka between April 4-6.
At the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Bangkok, Thailand, on 3 – 4 April 2025 to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit on 4 April 2025, hosted by Thailand, the Chair of BIMSTEC at present, and for an Official Visit, the Ministry of External Affairs stated through a statement on Friday.
This will be the third visit of the Prime Minister to Thailand and the first in-person meeting of the BIMSTEC Leaders since the 4th BIMSTEC Summit, which was in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2018. The 5th BIMSTEC Summit held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, was virtual on March 22.
The 6th BIMSTEC Summit's theme is 'BIMSTEC – Prosperous, Resilient and Open'. The summit is expected to consider ways and means to inject more momentum into BIMSTEC cooperation. Leaders of all BIMSTEC nations India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan are scheduled to attend the main meet where they would be discussing cooperation in the regional multilateral forum.
The leaders will also address several institution and capacity building initiatives to enhance cooperation under the BIMSTEC format, the MEA stated, adding, "India has been undertaking several initiatives in BIMSTEC for regional cooperation and partnership, including strengthening security; easing trade and investment; creating physical, maritime and digital connectivity; partnering in food, energy, climate and human security; and people-to-people exchanges".
PM Modi will meet his Thai counterpart on April 3, when the two leaders are likely to discuss bilateral cooperation and lay out the future course of partnership between the nations.
The PM will subsequently visit Sri Lanka on a State Visit, invited by newly elected Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, who had come to New Delhi last year, weeks after taking office.
During the visit, PM Modi will meet Disanayaka to discuss progress on the areas of cooperation agreed upon in the Joint Vision for 'Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future' adopted during the State Visit of the Sri Lankan President to India.
The Prime Minister will also hold meetings with high-ranking dignitaries and political figures. During the visit, He will also go to Anuradhapura to inaugurate development projects carried out with Indian financial support. PM Modi last visited Sri Lanka in 2019.
The Prime Minister's Thailand and Sri Lanka visit, and his attendance at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit will reiterate India's resolve towards 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", MEA further said.
Modi had announced the vision of 'MAHASAGAR' or 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions' for India's approach towards the Global South in his recent Mauritius visit.
