Overview

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Colombo on April 4 for a three-day state visit, receiving a ceremonial welcome from top Sri Lankan ministers despite heavy rain.
• India and Sri Lanka are set to finalize agreements on energy, defense, digitalization, and debt restructuring, with a focus on bolstering Sri Lanka's post-crisis recovery.
• Modi and Dissanayake will inaugurate several India-backed projects, including a solar energy initiative and railway developments in Anuradhapura.
• Key discussions include plans for a regional energy hub in Trincomalee, linking electricity grids, and a tripartite energy collaboration with the UAE.
• The visit highlights India's commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its strategic competition with China for influence in Sri Lanka.