Delhi-Colombo Bonding: New Frontiers
Channel: India Writes Connect
Date: 2015-03-13

New Beginnings, New Hopes and New Horizons. Talking of the current play of India-Sri Lanka relations, these expressions promptly come to mind. This is clearly the transformational moment in India-Sri Lanka relations. In barely three months, there have been three high-profile interactions, starting from the visit of Sri Lankan foreign minister to India, followed by the February 15-18 visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to New Delhi. President Sirisena’s choice of India as his first overseas destination sent a clear message that the India-Lanka relations have moved into a fast lane.  
Mr Sirisena’s visit was followed by India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s trip to Sri Lanka. Minister Swaraj’s wide-ranging interactions have set the stage for the visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka on March 13-14. The symbolism and importance of Mr Modi’s visit is clear from the fact that he will be the first prime minister to visit the island country after Rajiv Gandhi’s trip in 1987. 
All eyes in the region will be on the meeting between Mr Modi and Mr Sirisena as they unveil an ambitious roadmap for multi-pronged acceleration of bilateral ties across diverse areas, including trade and investment, development cooperation, defence cooperation and reconstruction of the island nation. The talks are expected to focus on the political reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, an important issue that will be in focus when PM Modi visits Jaffna, home to a large population of Sri Lankan Tamils. The two leaders are also expected to discuss evolving joint mechanisms to address the issue of fishermen.
Then highlight of the trip will be PM Modi’s address to the Sri Lankan parliament, which will flag off a long-term vision for India-Sri Lanka relations. 
The prime ministerial trip will cohere culture and civilizational bonds that binds the two fraternal neighbours. Buddhist spiritual bonds will be highlighted when Mr Modi visits the ancient heritage cities Kandy and Anuradhapura. 
From building houses, schools and hospitals to constructing roads, airports, and ports, India has been proactively engaged with reconstruction and resurgence of the neighbouring country. With bilateral trade on an upswing, the focus will be on renewing deep connections of the mind and heart. With both countries looking at each other as a narrative of opportunity, the India-Sri Lanka relations have entered a fast-track phase. Expect new doors to open up in this time-tested relationship.