PM visits and inspects development works for Mahakumbh Mela 2025
PM launches the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot
Maha Kumbh is a divine festival of our faith, spirituality and culture: PM
Prayag is a place where there are holy places,virtuous areas at every step: PM
Kumbh is the name of the inner consciousness of man: PM
MahaKumbh is MahaYagya of unity: PM

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated and launched multiple development projects worth around Rs 5500 crore at Prayagraj,Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister bowed in devotion to Prayagraj, the auspicious land of Sangam, and paid his respects to the saints and sadhus attending the Mahakumbh. Shri Modi expressed gratitude towards the employees, shramiks and safai karmacharis who have made the Mahakumbh a grand success with their hard work and dedication. Reflecting on the magnificent scale and size of the Mahakumbh, the Prime Minister said that it is one of the largest gatherings in the world where lakhs of devotees are welcomed daily for the Mahayajna lasting 45 days and a whole new city is set up for the occasion. “A new history is being written on the land of Prayagraj”, the Prime Minister exclaimed. The Prime Minister underlined that the organization of Mahakumbh next year would take the spiritual and cultural identity of the nation to new peaks and said that such a ‘MahaYagya’ of unity would be discussed around the world. He conveyed his best wishes to the people for a successful organization of the Mahakumbh.

“India is a land of sacred sites and pilgrimages”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added it was a land of rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kaveri, Narmada and many other innumerable rivers. Describing Prayag as the confluence, collection, congregation, combination, influence and a power of the sacred flow of these rivers, the importance of many pilgrimage sites and their greatness, the Prime Minister said that Prayag was not just a confluence of three rivers, but more than that. Explaining the importance, he remarked that it has been told about Prayag that it is a pious time when the sun enters the house of Makar, then all the divine powers, nectar, sages and saints descend down to Prayag. He added that Prayag was one such place without which the Puranas would be left incomplete. He further noted that Prayag was one such place which was praised in the verses of the Vedas.

“Prayag is a place where there are holy places and virtuous areas at every step”, exclaimed Shri Modi. Throwing light on the cultural and spiritual significance of Prayagraj, the Prime Minister recited a Sanskrit shloka and explained, “The effect of the Triveni, the glory of Venimadhav, the blessings of Someshwar, the land of penance of Rishi Bhardwaj, the special place of Lord Nagaraj Vasu ji, the immortality of Akshayvat and the grace of God - This is what makes our Teertharaj Prayag.” He further explained that Prayagraj is a place where all four elements of ‘Dharma’, ‘Arth’, ‘Kama’ and ‘Moksha’ are available. “Prayagraj is not just a geographical piece of land, it is a place to experience spirituality”, the Prime Minister said, expressing gratitude towards the citizens for getting to visit Prayagraj. He recalled taking a holy dip in the Sangam during the last Kumbh and also mentioned getting the opportunity today. Speaking about his darshan and pooja earlier in the day at Hanuman Mandir and Akshayvat, the Prime Minister informed about the development of Hanuman Corridor and Akshayvat Corridor for easy access by devotees and also mentioned inquiring about the redevelopment project of Saraswati Koop. Shri Modi also congratulated the citizens for the development projects of today worth thousands of crores.

“Maha Kumbh is a living identity representing our legacy of the divine festival of our faith, spirituality and culture”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He added that every time, the mega event symbolises the divine gathering of religion, knowledge, devotion and art. Reciting a sanskrit shloka, the Prime Minister explained that a holy dip in the sangam is equivalent to visiting crores of pilgrimage places. He added that an individual taking a holy dip is rid of all his sins. The Prime Minister remarked that this eternal flow of faith has never stopped despite reigns by various emperors and kingdoms or even during the despotic rule of the British and the major reason behind this was that Kumbh is not driven by any external forces. He added that Kumbh represented the consciousness of the inner soul of man, the consciousness which comes from within and draws people from every corner of India to the banks of Sangam. He further added that people from villages, towns, cities set out towards Prayagraj and such a power of congregation and mass gathering is rarely seen anywhere else. Shri Modi said that once an individual comes to Mahakumbh, everyone becomes one, be it saints, sages, wise men, or common people and the difference of caste and sects ends. He added that crores of people get connected with one goal and one idea. The Prime Minister remarked that this time during the Maha Kumbh, crores of people from different states with different languages, castes, beliefs would gather at Sangam and be in unison. He added that this was his belief why Maha Kumbh was the MahaYagya of unity, where every kind of discrimination is sacrificed and every Indian who takes a dip in the confluence here represented a beautiful picture of Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat.

Shri Modi emphasized the significance of Kumbh in India's cultural and spiritual tradition, highlighting how it has always been a platform for deep discussions among saints on critical national issues and challenges. He said that when modern communication channels did not exist in the past, Kumbh became a foundation for significant social changes where saints and scholars gathered to discuss the nation's welfare and deliberated on both present and future challenges, thereby providing new direction and energy to the country's thought process. Even today, the Prime Minister said, Kumbh retains its importance as a forum where such discussions continue, sending positive messages across the nation and inspiring collective thought on national welfare. Even though the names, milestones and paths of these gatherings may vary, the Prime Minister said that purpose and journey remains the same. He underlined that the Kumbh continues to be a symbol of ongoing national discourse and a beacon for future progress.

The Prime Minister pointed out the past neglect of Kumbh and religious pilgrimages by previous governments, stating that despite the significance of these events, devotees faced difficulties. He attributed this to a lack of connection with India's culture and faith and also reassured the citizens of the deep respect for India's traditions and faith under the current government, both at the Centre and state level. He said that the governments at both center and state, considers it a responsibility to provide facilities for pilgrims attending Kumbh. The Prime Minister informed that thousands of crores have been allocated for various projects, with both Centre and state governments working together to ensure smooth preparations. He highlighted the special emphasis on improving connectivity to Prayagraj from cities like Ayodhya, Varanasi, Raebareli, and Lucknow, ensuring ease of travel for pilgrims. The Prime Minister praised the collective efforts of multiple government departments in preparing for the grand event, demonstrating the ‘Whole of the Government’ approach in action.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government is focused on both development and enriching India's heritage. He mentioned various tourist circuits being developed across the country and gave examples of Ramayana Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, and Tirthankar Circuit. Touching upon schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD, the Prime Minister said that the government is expanding facilities at pilgrimage sites. He highlighted the transformation of Ayodhya with the construction of the grand Ram Mandir which has elevated the entire city. He also mentioned projects like Vishwanath Dham and Mahakal Mahalok that have gained global recognition. In Prayagraj, the Prime Minister said, the Akshay Vat Corridor, Hanuman Mandir Corridor, and Bharadwaj Rishi Ashram Corridor reflect this vision, while sites like Saraswati Koop, Patalpuri, Nagvasuki, and Dwadas Madhav Mandir are also being revitalized for pilgrims.

The Prime Minister highlighted that Prayagraj, the land of Nishadraj, held a significant place in Lord Ram's journey to becoming Maryada Purushottam. He added that the episode of Lord Ram and Kevat continues to inspire us where Kevat washed Lord Ram's feet and helped him cross the river with his boat, symbolizing devotion and friendship. He further added that this event conveyed that even the Lord can seek help from his devotee. Shri Modi remarked that the development of Shringverpur Dham is a testament to this friendship and the statues of Lord Ram and Nishadraj will continue to convey the message of harmony to future generations.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi underlined the significant role of cleanliness in making the grand Kumbh a success. He noted that the Namami Gange program has been accelerated to ensure proper sanitation and waste management in Prayagraj and initiatives such as appointing Ganga Doot, Ganga Prahari, and Ganga Mitras have been launched to raise awareness. The Prime Minister informed that more than 15,000 sanitation workers will ensure the cleanliness of the Kumbh this time. He expressed his gratitude to these workers in advance and acknowledged their dedication in providing a spiritual and clean environment for crores of devotees. The Prime Minister gave the analogy of Lord Krishna who picked up used plates and sent out the message that every work is important, and said that the sanitation workers will add to the greatness of this event with their actions. He recalled the appreciation received for cleanliness during the 2019 Kumbh and how he showed his gratitude by washing the feet of the sanitation workers, which remains a memorable experience for him.

Shri Modi emphasized that the Kumbh Mela brings a significant expansion in economic activities, which often goes unnoticed. He added that even before the Kumbh, economic activities in the region were rapidly increasing. The Prime Minister remarked that a temporary city will be set up on the banks of the Sangam, for approximately one and a half months which would witness millions of people visiting daily. He added that a large number of people would be required to maintain order in Prayagraj during this period. Shri Modi said that over 6,000 boatmen, thousands of shopkeepers, and those assisting with religious rituals and holy dips will see an increase in their work, which would create numerous employment opportunities. He added that to maintain the supply chain, merchants will need to bring goods from other cities. The Prime Minister underlined that the impact of Kumbh would also be felt in the surrounding districts. He added that pilgrims coming from other states will use train or air services, further boosting the economy. Shri Modi emphasised that the Kumbh will not only strengthen society but also contribute to the economic empowerment of people.

Shri Modi noted the significant advancements in technology that will shape the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025. He pointed out that compared to previous years, smartphone users have increased and data is much cheaper than in 2013. He said that with user-friendly apps available, even those with limited tech knowledge can utilize them easily, referring to the launch of ‘Kumbh Sahayak’ chatbot, marking the first use of AI and chatbot technology for Kumbh, capable of communicating in eleven Indian languages. He suggested leveraging data and technology to engage more people, such as organizing photography competitions that capture the essence of Kumbh as a symbol of unity. These photographs shared widely on social media, would create an immense visual canvas, blending countless emotions and colors. Additionally, he proposed organizing contests focused on spirituality and nature, which would further enhance the appeal of Kumbh, especially among the youth.

Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that the collective and spiritual energy emerging from the Maha Kumbh will further strengthen the nation's resolve towards a developed India. He wished for the Kumbh Snan to be a historic and unforgettable event and prayed for the welfare of humanity through the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Extending his best wishes, he welcomed all pilgrims to the sacred city of Prayagraj.

The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya and Shri Brajesh Pathak were present among other dignitaries.

Background

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today travelled to Prayagraj and performed pooja and darshan at Sangam Nose and then Pooja at Akshay Vata Vriksh followed by darshan and pooja at Hanuman Mandir and Saraswati Koop. The PM also undertook a walkthrough of Mahakumbh exhibition site and

The Prime Minister inaugurated various projects for Mahakumbh 2025. It includes various rail and road projects like 10 new Road Over Bridges (RoBs) or flyovers, permanent Ghats and riverfront roads, among others, to boost infrastructure and provide seamless connectivity in Prayagraj.

In line with his commitment towards Swachh and Nirmal Ganga, the Prime Minister also inaugurated projects of interception, tapping, diversion and treatment of minor drains leading to river Ganga which will ensure zero discharge of untreated water into the river. He also inaugurated various infrastructure projects related to drinking water and power.

The Prime Minister inaugurated major temple corridors which include Bharadwaj Ashram corridor, Shringverpur Dham corridor, Akshayvat corridor, Hanuman Mandir corridor among others. These projects will ensure ease of access to devotees and also boost spiritual tourism. The Prime Minister launched the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot that will provide details to give guidance and updates on the events to devotees on Mahakumbh Mela 2025.

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India - Sri Lanka Joint Statement: Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future
December 16, 2024

Prime Minister of India His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi and President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake had comprehensive and fruitful discussions at their meeting in New Delhi on 16 December 2024, during the latter’s State Visit to the Republic of India.

2. The two leaders reaffirmed that the India-Sri Lanka bilateral partnership is underpinned by deep-rooted cultural and civilizational ties, geographical proximity and the people-to-people relation.

3. President Dissanayake conveyed his deep appreciation for the unwavering support extended by India to the people of Sri Lanka during and after the unprecedented economic crisis in 2022. Recalling his profound commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people for a prosperous future, greater opportunities, and sustained economic growth, he looked forward to India’s continued support for the achievement of these objectives. Prime Minister Modi assured President Dissanayake of India’s full commitment in this regard, in keeping with the special place Sri Lanka occupies in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.

4. Both leaders acknowledged that bilateral ties had deepened over the years and contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka. Underscoring the potential for further cooperation, both leaders affirmed their commitment to progress the relationship between India and Sri Lanka to a mutually beneficial comprehensive partnership for the well-being of the peoples of the two countries.

Political Exchanges

5. Acknowledging the increased political interactions in the last decade and their contribution towards deepening the bilateral ties, both leaders agreed to further intensify political engagements at leadership and ministerial levels.

6. The two leaders also underscored the importance of regular parliamentary level exchanges to promote democratic values and share expertise on their institutional best practices.

Development Cooperation

7. The two leaders acknowledged the positive and impactful role of India’s development assistance to Sri Lanka that has significantly contributed to its socioeconomic growth. President Dissanayake appreciated India’s continued support for the implementation of projects despite the ongoing debt restructuring. He further acknowledged India’s decision to extend grant assistance for projects that were originally undertaken through Lines of Credit, thereby reducing the debt burden of Sri Lanka.

8. Reaffirming their commitment to work closely in further intensifying people oriented development partnership, both leaders agreed to:

i. Work together for the timely completion of ongoing projects such as Phase III & IV of Indian Housing Project, 3 (three) Islands Hybrid Renewable Energy Project and High Impact Community Development Projects across Sri Lanka;

ii. Extend full support towards timely implementation of projects for the Indian Origin Tamil community, Eastern Province, and solar electrification of religious places in Sri Lanka;

iii. Identify new projects and areas of cooperation for development partnership, in accordance with the needs and priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Training and Capacity Building

9. Underlining India’s role in extending capacity building support to Sri Lanka and factoring the need for customized training and capacity building in different fields in Sri Lanka, the leaders:

i. Agreed to organise focused training of 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants across ministries and departments over a period of five years through the National Centre for Good Governance in India; and

ii. Committed to explore further training programmes for Sri Lankan officials in civil, defence and legal domains among other areas, in keeping with the requirements of Sri Lanka.

Debt Restructuring

10. President Dissanayake thanked Prime Minister Modi for India’s support in stabilizing the Sri Lankan economy through unparalleled and multi-pronged assistance including emergency financing and forex support worth USD 4 billion. He acknowledged India’s crucial assistance in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process, including as co-chair of the Official Creditors’ Committee (OCC), as being instrumental in finalising the debt restructuring discussions in a timely manner. He further thanked the Government of India for extending financial assistance of USD 20.66 mn to settle payments due from Sri Lanka for projects completed under existing Lines of Credit thereby significantly reducing the debt burden at a critical time.Underscoring the close and special ties with Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s consistent support to the country in times of need and in its quest for economic recovery and stability, and prosperity for its people. The leaders instructed officials to finalize discussions on the bilateral MoU on Debt Restructuring.

11. Both leaders agreed that a strategic shift from debt-driven models towards investment led partnerships across different sectors would ensure a more sustainable path to economic recovery, development and prosperity in Sri Lanka.

Building Connectivity

12. The leaders underlined the importance of greater connectivity and acknowledged the presence of complementarities between the two economies which could be harnessed for economic development and growth of both countries. In this regard:

i. While expressing satisfaction at the resumption of the passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai, they agreed that officials should work towards the early recommencement of the passenger ferry service between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar.

ii. Explore the possibility of jointly working on rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai port in Sri Lanka, which will be implemented with grant assistance from the Government of India.

Energy Development

13. Emphasizing the need for reliable, affordable and timely energy resources for ensuring energy security and meeting basic needs of the people, both leaders underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and facilitation towards timely implementation of ongoing energy cooperation projects between India and Sri Lanka. In this regard, the leaders agreed to:

i. Take steps towards the implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka.

ii. Continue consideration of the several proposals which are in different stages of discussion including:

(a) supply of LNG from India to Sri Lanka.

(b) establishment of a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka.

(c) cooperation amongst India, Sri Lanka and UAE to implement a multi-product pipeline from India to Sri Lanka for supply of affordable and reliable energy.

(d) joint development of offshore wind power potential in Palk Straits, while prioritizing environmental protection including fauna and flora.

14. Acknowledging the ongoing cooperation in the development of Trincomalee Tank Farms, both leaders decided to support the development of Trincomalee as a regional energy and industrial hub.

People-Centric Digitization

15. Acknowledging the successful experience of India in people-centric digitization, which has helped in improving governance, transforming service delivery, ushering transparency, and contributing to social welfare, President Dissanayake conveyed his government’s interest in exploring the establishment of similar systems in Sri Lanka with Indian assistance. Prime Minister Modi conveyed India’s readiness in fully supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts in this regard. In this context, the two leaders agreed to:

i. Expedite implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project to aid the country in its efforts to improve delivery of government services to the public;

ii. Collaborate on avenues to fully roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Sri Lanka with assistance from India.

iii. Establish a Joint Working Group to explore the implementation of a DPI stack in Sri Lanka based on experience and systems already established in India, including advancing ongoing technical discussions on the implementation of DigiLocker in Sri Lanka.

iv. Promote digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries and in keeping with payment systems related regulatory guidelines of both countries.

v. Continue bilateral exchanges to garner learnings from India’s Aadhaar platform, GeM portal, PM Gati Shakti digital platform, digitized customs and other taxation procedures, with a view to exploring the benefits of establishing equivalent systems in Sri Lanka.

Education and Technology

16. With a view to supporting human-resource development and promoting innovation and technology in Sri Lanka, the two leaders agreed to:

i. Seek to expand collaboration in research and development in sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, digital economy, health and other areas of mutual interest.

ii. Explore cooperation between educational institutions of both countries.

iii. Foster cooperation between Start-up India and Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), including for mentorship for Sri Lankan start-ups.

Trade and Investment Cooperation

17. The two leaders appreciated that the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) has enhanced the trade partnership between the two countries, while acknowledging that there is immense potential for further expanding the trade ties Underscoring the pace of economic growth and opportunities in India as well as the growing market size and its potential for enhancing trade and investment for Sri Lanka, both leaders agreed that it is now opportune to further enhance the trade partnership by committing to:

i. Continue discussions on the Economic & Technological Cooperation Agreement.

ii. Enhance INR-LKR trade settlements between the two countries.

iii. Encourage investments in key sectors in Sri Lanka to enhance its export potential.

18. The two leaders agreed on the need to continue discussions for the early finalization of the proposed bilateral Social Security Agreement.

Agriculture and Animal Husbandry

19. Both leaders appreciated the ongoing collaboration for the development of the dairy sector in Sri Lanka with the aim of promoting self-sufficiency and nutritional security.

20. Noting President Dissanayake’s emphasis on agricultural modernization, the two leaders agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to examine possibilities for the comprehensive development of the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka.

Strategic & Defence Cooperation

21. Recognizing shared security interests of India and Sri Lanka, both leaders acknowledged the importance of regular dialogue based on mutual trust and transparency and giving primacy to each other’s security concerns. As natural partners, both leaders underscored the common challenges faced by the two countries in the Indian Ocean Region and reaffirmed their commitment to work together in countering traditional and non-traditional threats as well as to ensure a free, open, safe and secure Indian Ocean Region. India being Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, President Dissanayake reiterated Sri Lanka’s stated position of not permitting its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards regional stability.

22. Expressing satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation in training, exchange programs, ship visits, bilateral exercises and assistance to augment defence capabilities, both leaders agreed to advance maritime and security collaboration.

23. President Dissanayake thanked India for its support through the provision of a Dornier Aircraft for maritime surveillance; and establishment of the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Sri Lanka amongst other assistance vital for Sri Lanka to enhance its maritime domain awareness. He further appreciated India’s role as a ‘first responder’ for Sri Lanka in the field of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. Importantly, the recent success in collaboration efforts of Indian and Sri Lanka Navies in the seizing of vessels trafficking a large quantity of narcotics with suspects was mentioned and President Dissanayake expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy.

24. As a trusted and reliable partner, India conveyed its continued commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka in advancing its defence and maritime security needs and extending necessary assistance towards augmenting its capabilities to address its maritime challenges.

25. Taking cognizance of various security threats such as terrorism, drug/narcotics smuggling, money laundering, and, both leaders agreed to further strengthen the ongoing efforts in training, capacity building, and intelligence and information sharing. In this context, they agreed to:

i. Explore the possibility of concluding a framework Agreement on Defence Cooperation;

ii. Foster cooperation in hydrography;

iii. Provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities;

iv. Intensify collaboration through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges;

v. Extend assistance to strengthen capabilities of Sri Lanka on disaster mitigation, relief and rehabilitation, including through training, joint exercises and sharing of best practices; and

vi. Enhance capacity building and training for Sri Lankan defence forces and conduct tailormade training programmes, wherever required.

Cultural and Tourism Development

26. Underlining their cultural affinity, geographical proximity and civilizational ties, both leaders acknowledged the need to further promote cultural and tourism links between the two countries. Given that India has been the largest source of tourism for Sri Lanka, the two leaders committed to:

i. Enhancing air connectivity to various destinations in India and Sri Lanka, while noting the successful resumption of flights between Chennai and Jaffna.

ii. Continuing discussions on the development of airports in Sri Lanka.

iii. Promoting Indian investments for the development of tourism infrastructure in Sri Lanka.

iv. Establishing a facilitatory framework for development of religious and cultural tourism.

v. Promoting academic linkages between educational institutions for the promotion and advancement of cultural and linguistic ties between the two countries.

Fisheries Issues

27. Acknowledging the issues faced by fishermen on both sides and factoring the livelihood concerns, the leaders agreed on the need to continue to address these in a humanitarian manner. In this regard, they also underscored the need to take measures to avoid any aggressive behaviour or violence. They welcomed the recent conclusion of the 6th Joint Working Group Meeting on Fisheries in Colombo. The leaders expressed confidence that through dialogue and constructive engagements a long lasting and mutually acceptable solution could be achieved. Given the special relationship between India and Sri Lanka, they instructed officials to continue their engagement to address these issues.

28. President Dissanayake thanked India for its initiatives for the sustainable and commercial development of fisheries in Sri Lanka, including development of Point Pedro Fishing Harbour, rehabilitation of Karainagar Boatyard and cooperation in Aquaculture through Indian assistance.

Regional and Multilateral Cooperation

29. Recognizing shared maritime security interests in the Indian Ocean Region, both leaders agreed to jointly pursue strengthening regional maritime security, both bilaterally and through existing regional frameworks. In this regard, the leaders welcomed the recent signing of the Founding Documents of the Colombo Security Conclave headquartered in Colombo. India reiterated its support to Sri Lanka in advancing the objectives of the Conclave.

30. India conveyed its full support for Sri Lanka’s Chairmanship of the IORA. Both leaders underscored the need for a substantive action plan by IORA member countries for security and development of all in the region.

31. Both leaders also underlined their commitment to further strengthen and enhance regional cooperation under BIMSTEC.

32. President Dissanayake requested Prime Minister Modi’s support for Sri Lanka’s application to become a member of the BRICS.

33. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Sri Lanka’s support to India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-2029.

Conclusion

34. The leaders noted that the effective and timely implementation of agreed measures, as outlined, would deepen the bilateral ties between the two countries and transform the relationship into a new standard for friendly and neighbourly ties. Accordingly, the leaders directed their officials to initiate necessary measures for implementation of the understandings and agreed to extend guidance, where required. They further resolved to continue engagement at leadership level to qualitatively enhance bilateral ties that are mutually beneficial, cater to sustainable developmental needs of Sri Lanka and contribute to the stability of the Indian Ocean Region. President Dissanayake invited Prime Minister Modi to pay a visit to Sri Lanka at his earliest convenience.