Visits to Maldives, Sri Lanka illustrate our ’Neighbourhood First’ policy: Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his weekend visit to the Maldives and Sri Lanka will further consolidate ties with two of India’s key maritime neighbours in the Indian Ocean region.

In a departure statement, Modi said the visits to Maldives and Sri Lanka – his first since taking office for a second term on 30 May – was in keeping with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First' policy, which gives primacy to India’s neighbours in foreign policy.

Modi's visit to the two countries comes amid the deep inroads made by India's strategic rival China into these countries.

Modi will arrive in Maldives on Saturday morning on the first leg of his two-nation tour. In a special gesture, Modi’s visit has been accorded the status of a “State Visit” – something reserved for visiting heads of state – by the Maldives government.

Modi’s visit is the first bilateral visit to the Maldives by an Indian prime minister. The last prime ministerial visit was by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2011 for a summit of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) leaders in 2011 followed by a bilateral visit. In his first term in office, Modi had visited all South Asian countries except for the Maldives on bilateral visits. A visit to the Maldives was put on hold because of former president Abdullah Yameen’s crackdown on political parties in the country as well as Yameen’s tilt towards India’s strategic rival China. Modi had however paid a brief trip to Male for the swearing-in ceremony of current President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih in November.

In his departure statement, Modi recalled that he had received Solih in New Delhi in December. “My (current) visit to the Maldives is reflective of the importance we both attach to our relationship as maritime neighbours and long-standing friends,” he said.

"India regards the Maldives as a valued partner with whom we share deep bonds of history and culture," Modi said.

“Our bilateral relations with the Maldives have been greatly strengthened in the recent past. I am confident that my visit will further deepen our multifaceted partnership,” the Prime Minister added.

During the visit, Modi and Solih are expected to jointly inaugurate a couple of projects, including the crucial coastal surveillance radar system, that is key to enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale had told reporters on Thursday that both sides are expected to explore ways to expand co-operation in a range of areas including defence and security. A number of development projects are under consideration, Gokhale said. This included a ferry service from Kochi to Maldives. The two countries are working on finalising a currency swap agreement, and implementing projects under the Lines of Credit, he said. These projects include water supply and sewage system in 36 islands, urban development of Addu city and small and medium enterprise development financing projects.

On his visit to Sri Lanka, Modi said it was aimed at expressing solidarity with the people of the country, “In the wake of the terrible terrorist attacks there on 21 April. India stands with Sri Lanka in the fight against terrorism.”

“Our bilateral relations with Sri Lanka have gained considerable momentum in the last few years. I had the pleasure of meeting President (Maithripala) Sirisena during his recent visit to India to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new (National Democratic Alliance) government. I look forward to meeting the Sri Lankan leadership during my visit,” Modi added.