Description

Copyright infringement not intended

Context:

PM Modi visited Sri Lanka to strengthen the friendship between India and Sri Lanka.

News in Detail

PM Modi is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the new government came to power last year.

PM Modi met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and signed 7 important agreements in areas like energy, trade, and defense.

During this visit, Sri Lanka presented PM Modi an honor called the Mithra Vibhushana.

Mithra Vibhushana Award

It is Sri Lanka’s highest civilian award for foreign leaders. It celebrates strong friendships and cooperation between countries.

The medal has symbols like the Dharma Chakra (a Buddhist wheel) and Navaratnas (nine precious gems), which show the deep cultural and spiritual connection between India and Sri Lanka.

Key outcome

India and Sri Lanka signed a defense pact to share information.

India to help Sri Lanka to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub and build solar power plants like the Sampur Solar Project.

During Sri Lanka’s financial crisis, India provided $4.5 billion in loans and aid for food, fuel, and other essentials. Now, they discussed ways to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy further.

India allocated ₹300 crore to help Sri Lanka create digital IDs for its citizens. This will improve services like banking and government work.

China investing heavily in Sri Lanka, building ports and refineries worth billions of dollars, this helps Sri Lanka, however, it worries India because some chinese activities could harm India’s security -> To counterbalance China’s influence, India is stepping up its cooperation with Sri Lanka through defense pacts and economic partnerships.

Must Read Articles:

India-Sri Lanka Relations

The India-Sri Lanka Relations

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. The Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar have emerged as critical zones for India-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation. Examine the opportunities and challenges in this domain. 250 words

https://t.me/+hJqMV1O0se03Njk9