With the Sri Lankan leadership reportedly limiting its bilateral engagements ahead of Presidential polls in the country, the forthcoming visit of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the neighboring state would be exempted from these curtailments, local media reports suggested on Monday.
Among the leaders that could see their official tours to Sri Lanka held back are Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and the ruler of the United Arab Emirates.
Among the leaders that could see their official tours to Sri Lanka held back are Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and the ruler of the United Arab Emirates.
However, Modi is expected to visit Sri Lanka before the country’s elections, which are scheduled to take place between September 17 and October 17. Though the dates for Modi's trip to the neighboring state are yet to be announced.
This might signal the priority Sri Lanka gives to its relations with India, considering New Delhi has stood by Colombo during its testing times.
For example, after Sri Lanka failed to repay its sovereign debt and defaulted more than two years ago, India offered a helping hand, offering $4 billion in emergency assistance, including a $1 billion credit line, which was extended for another year in 2023.