{"id":313150,"date":"2019-06-09T12:36:31","date_gmt":"2019-06-09T12:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/?p=313150"},"modified":"2019-06-09T13:48:23","modified_gmt":"2019-06-09T13:48:23","slug":"pm-modis-two-nation-visit-to-maldives-and-sri-lanka-concludes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/pm-modis-two-nation-visit-to-maldives-and-sri-lanka-concludes\/","title":{"rendered":"PM Modi\u2019s two-nation visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka concludes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313151 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1-300x205.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"517\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1-218x150.jpg 218w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1-696x475.jpg 696w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1-615x420.jpg 615w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/PM-Modi-1.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Prime Minister Narendra Modi after concluding his two-nation visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka left for Delhi. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe accompanied PM Modi to the airport.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cI had a short but immensely fruitful Sri Lanka visit. Sri Lanka has a special place in our hearts. I assure my sisters and brothers of Sri Lanka that India will always be there with you and support your nation\u2019s progress. Thank you for the memorable welcome and hospitality,\u201d PM Modi said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313152 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Modi-arrive-300x221.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"486\" height=\"358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-arrive-300x221.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-arrive-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-arrive-696x514.jpg 696w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-arrive-569x420.jpg 569w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-arrive.jpg 714w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 486px) 100vw, 486px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">Modi arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday morning after visiting the Maldives. He is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the deadly Easter terror attacks in April.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cHappy to be back in Sri Lanka, my third visit to this beautiful island in four years. Share the warmth shown by the people of SL in equal measure. India never forgets her friends when they are in need. Deeply touched by the ceremonial welcome,\u201d Modi said in a tweet soon after his arrival.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313153 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Modi-church-234x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"349\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-church-234x300.jpg 234w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-church-328x420.jpg 328w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-church.jpg 391w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 349px) 100vw, 349px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">On landing in Colombo, PM Modi Visited St. Anthony&#8217;s Shrine, Kochchikade to pay homage to those who lost their lives during the cowardly terror attack on Easter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cStarted the Sri Lanka visit by paying my respect at one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday Attack, St. Anthony&#8217;s Shrine, Kochchikade. My heart goes out to the families of the victims and the injured,\u201d said Modi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cI am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka,\u201d he added.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313154 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Modi-ceremorial-300x244.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"524\" height=\"426\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-ceremorial-300x244.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-ceremorial-517x420.jpg 517w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/Modi-ceremorial.jpg 647w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">After paying tributes to the victims of the Easter attacks at the Church, Modi arrived at the President&#8217;s House where he was accorded a ceremonial reception.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313155 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pres-300x230.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"436\" height=\"334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pres-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pres-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pres-696x535.jpg 696w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pres-547x420.jpg 547w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pres.jpg 707w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 436px) 100vw, 436px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cMet President @MaithripalaS, our second meeting in 10 days. President Sirisena and I agreed that terrorism is a joint threat that needs collective and focussed action. Reiterated India\u2019s commitment to partner with Sri Lanka for a shared, secure and prosperous future,\u201d said Modi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cPM @narendramodi and President of Sri Lanka @MaithripalaS discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. A banquet was hosted in honour of PM by President @MaithripalaS #Neighbourhoodfirst,\u201d External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar\u00a0said in a tweet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313156 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pm-300x205.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"505\" height=\"345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pm-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pm-218x150.jpg 218w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pm-696x477.jpg 696w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pm-613x420.jpg 613w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-pm.jpg 746w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 505px) 100vw, 505px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">PM Modi held &#8220;fruitful discussions&#8221; with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">&#8220;Assured India&#8217;s full support to further strengthen bilateral development partnership including through people-oriented projects in Sri Lanka,&#8221; Modi said after his meeting with Wickremesinghe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-313157 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/modi-n-former-pres-300x205.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-former-pres-300x205.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-former-pres-218x150.jpg 218w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-former-pres-696x477.jpg 696w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-former-pres-613x420.jpg 613w, https:\/\/tehelka.com\/media\/2019\/06\/modi-n-former-pres.jpg 752w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cLeader of Opposition and former President @PresRajapaksa called on PM @narendramodi. Discussed steps to further strengthen wide-ranging bilateral relations between the two countries,\u201d Kumar said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">\u201cHad an extensive meeting with the Leader of Opposition, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa. We discussed the need for close collaboration between India and Sri Lanka in the fields of counter terrorism, security and economic development,\u201d Modi said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;\">PM Modi also addressed the Indian community in Colombo.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi after concluding his two-nation visit to Maldives and Sri Lanka left for Delhi. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe accompanied PM Modi to the airport. \u201cI had a short but immensely fruitful Sri Lanka visit. Sri Lanka has a special place in our hearts. I assure my sisters and brothers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":313151,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[36],"tags":[4356,316,4881],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313150"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=313150"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313150\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":313159,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/313150\/revisions\/313159"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/313151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=313150"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=313150"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=313150"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}