Colombo: In a historic move that signals a new chapter in bilateral ties, India and Sri Lanka on Saturday signed a comprehensive defense cooperation agreement for the first time, following high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo.
The landmark pact marks a major step forward in strategic and security collaboration between the two neighbors, amid growing regional dynamics in the Indian Ocean.
In addition to the defense agreement, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop the eastern port city of Trincomalee into a major energy hub, underlining New Delhi’s deepening role in Sri Lanka’s energy transition and infrastructure growth.
Held extensive and productive talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. A few months ago, President Dissanayake chose India as the place for his first overseas visit after becoming President. Now, I have the honour of being the first foreign leader he is hosting… pic.twitter.com/dQnGZVcClW
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2025
Another key agreement was inked to facilitate India’s multi-sectoral grant assistance to Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, focusing on development initiatives across health, education, agriculture, and connectivity.
The agreements came a day after Prime Minister Modi arrived in Colombo from Bangkok, where he attended the BIMSTEC summit.
Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Dissanayake is the first by any foreign leader since Sri Lanka’s political transition in 2024, which brought the leftist National People’s Power (NPP) alliance to power.
Following Dissanayake’s maiden state visit to New Delhi in December 2024, Saturday’s talks and agreements are seen as concrete progress on the bilateral agenda outlined during that visit.
Glimpses from the ceremonial welcome in Colombo this morning.@anuradisanayake pic.twitter.com/88k2T1NN20
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 5, 2025
In a rare diplomatic honor, Prime Minister Modi was received with a ceremonial welcome at Independence Square, Colombo’s iconic national site that commemorates Sri Lanka’s independence from British colonial rule in 1948.
President Dissanayake personally welcomed Modi at the historic venue, which is rarely used for foreign leaders.
