PM Modi Embarks 3 –Ocean Nation Tour Tuesday
09 March , New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a three ocean nation official tour to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka from tomorrow- Tuesday.
Briefing reporters in New Delhi today, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said that the visit will explore possibilities of economic and security cooperation.
He said India’s economic cooperation and people to people contact with the three nations have broadened over the last few years.
Secretary West, Navtej Sarna informed that during his one day stay at Seychelles, Mr Modi will have one to one and delegation level talks with President James Michel. Modi will be given a civic reception in Mahe and will also hand over the Coastal Radar Surveillance System which was set up with India’s help. It is first visit of any Indian Prime Minister after 1981.
Sarna said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will proceed to Mauritius on Wednesday for a two day visit. He said during his stay, Modi will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth to further enhance bilateral relations . He will also be the Chief Guest at the National Day celebrations of Mauritius and will also address the National Assembly of the country.
In the last leg of his three nation visit, Modi will be at Colombo on 13th of this month. The Prime Minister will hold meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and other senior leaders across the political spectrum.
During the visit, several MoUs and agreements will be signed between both the countries in different fields.
Trade and investment,cooperation in culture and tourism are high on the agenda. Modi will also address Sri Lankan Parliament which is great honour for the visiting Prime Minister. Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar has said that no agreement will be signed in the field of defence.
He said that the very fact that it is the fourth visit this year between the two nations proves the importance India places on its neighbour. Mr Jaishankar said India seeks to promote and encourage reconciliation process in the island nation, and support democracy and reforms.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also visit Mahabodhi society and the Mahabodhi Tree in Anuradhapura. He will hand over houses to the internally displaced people in Jaffna, which were built by Indian cooperation.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Ocean countries is being held in view of country’s policy to reaching out to just neighbours.India shares historical ties and linkages and people to people contact with these countries.
During Prime Minister’s visit, enhancement of trade, investment and commercial activities along with promotion of tourism and connectivity will be high on agenda. Maritime security and exploring possibilities in the area of blue and ocean economy will also be discussed in length with Ocean countries.