Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a significant diplomatic tour from April 3 to 6, covering two key nations in India’s neighbourhood—Thailand and Sri Lanka. The visit aims to strengthen regional cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework and bolster bilateral ties with both Southeast Asian and South Asian partners. The centerpiece of the Prime Minister’s visit is his participation in the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit, scheduled to be held in Bangkok on April 4. This will be the first in-person BIMSTEC summit since 2018, which was last hosted in Kathmandu, Nepal. The 2024 edition, being hosted by Thailand, is themed “Prosperous, Resilient and Open,” and is expected to set the tone for deepening multi-sectoral cooperation among member states.
 

According to a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the leaders attending the summit will focus on strengthening institutional frameworks, enhancing capacity building, and promoting trade and investment. Security cooperation, digital connectivity, maritime collaboration, and energy and climate security are also high on the agenda. India has been playing an active role in pushing forward these areas within the BIMSTEC bloc, especially in sectors such as skill development and regional energy interlinkages. Before the summit, on April 3, PM Modi will meet Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to discuss issues related to India-Thailand bilateral relations. The two maritime neighbours share centuries-old civilisational and cultural ties, rooted in shared linguistic, religious, and historical traditions. The meeting is expected to include discussions on regional connectivity projects, economic linkages, and potential new areas of collaboration.
 

India and Thailand are both key players in the Bay of Bengal region and have collaborated closely in forums like BIMSTEC and the ASEAN-India partnership. Their bilateral engagements often extend to trade, defence, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties, and this visit is likely to give a further push to these efforts. Following his engagements in Thailand, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Sri Lanka on a state visit from April 4 to 6, at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. This will be Modi’s first visit to the island nation since 2019, and it is expected to reaffirm India’s strong commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s socio-economic recovery and long-term development.
 

During the Sri Lanka leg of the trip, the Indian Prime Minister will hold talks with the Sri Lankan leadership to review ongoing projects and future cooperation under the Joint Vision for “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.” The vision outlines key areas of collaboration, including infrastructure development, trade, health, education, and cultural exchange. One of the major highlights of the Sri Lanka visit will be PM Modi’s trip to the sacred city of Anuradhapura. There, he is expected to inaugurate development projects financed by India, reinforcing New Delhi’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic revival and community development efforts. These projects are part of India’s broader development partnership with Sri Lanka, which includes housing, healthcare, and vocational training initiatives aimed at uplifting local communities.
 

PM Modi is also expected to meet senior political leaders, community representatives, and dignitaries during his visit, underlining India’s desire to maintain strong people-to-people connections. India remains one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners and has provided extensive financial and humanitarian assistance, especially during the country’s recent economic crisis. This diplomatic tour comes at a time when regional cooperation and economic recovery are vital for South Asia and Southeast Asia, both still recovering from the pandemic’s aftermath and facing shifting geopolitical dynamics. Modi’s visit to both Thailand and Sri Lanka signals India’s intent to play a proactive role in shaping regional strategies that focus on resilience, prosperity, and connectivity. With BIMSTEC emerging as a critical platform to link South and Southeast Asia, India’s leadership in this multilateral framework is expected to grow stronger. The visit also reflects New Delhi’s neighborhood-first policy and its commitment to fostering goodwill and trust among regional partners.