In March 2015, PM Modi visited Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka.

An Indian PM has paid bilateral visit to:

• Seychelles after 34 years,

• Mauritius after 10 years and

• Sri Lanka after 28 years.

These three nations are amongst nearest ocean neighbours of India.

India has a long history with each one of them in which people-to-people ties, economic cooperation and maritime security have all featured prominently.

Seychelles

• PM’s visit to Seychelles was on 10-11 March 2015.

• He was received and seen off by President James Michel personally.

• They had a bilateral meeting where issues of economic, infrastructure and maritime cooperation were discussed.

• PM Modi inaugurated the Coastal Surveillance Radar System set up with India’s collaboration.

• Among the important outcomes of the visit were our decision to gift a second Dornier aircraft, to provide gratis visa for a period of three months and to include Seychelles in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme.

• Four agreements were signed: for development of infrastructure facilities at Assumption Island, renewal energy cooperation, cooperation in hydrography and sale of navigational charts.

• The two countries also decided to set up a Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Blue Economy.

Mauritius

•  PM Modi visited Mauritius on 11-12 March 2015.

• PM was accorded the highest protocol and spontaneous welcome by all sections of Mauritian society and was received and seen off by PM Sir Anerood Jugnauth.

• PM held meetings with President Purryag and PM Jugnauth.

•  PM Modi was the Chief Guest for the National Day of Mauritius.

• He addressed a special session of the National Assembly of Mauritius. He

• jointly commissioned with PM Jugnauth the offshore patrol vessel Barracuda, which is the first custom built vessel exported by India.

• The PM unveiled a plaque with PM Jugnauth for the official commencement of construction of the building of the World Hindi Secretariat.

• PM also visited Aapravasi Ghat and offered prayers at Ganga Talao.

•  PM Modi announced a concessional line of credit of US$500 million for project to be identified by the Government of Mauritius.

• Five bilateral documents were signed: for development of sea and air transportation facilities at Agalega Island, cooperation in ocean economy, cooperation in traditional systems of medicine and homeopathy, cultural exchange programme for 2015-18, and importation of mangoes from India.

Sri Lanka

• PM Modi visited Sri Lanka on 13-14 March 2015.

• It was the fourth high level engagement with that country since the election of President Sirisena on 9th January 2015.

• President Sirisena had paid his first visit abroad to India later in February.

• PM was received by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe.

• PM met the leadership across the political spectrum including former Presidents Kumaratunga and Rajapaksa.

• He addressed the Sri Lankan Parliament and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

• PM  conveyed India’s sincere support and good wishes for Sri Lanka’s new journey of peace, reconciliation and progress.

• India stands with Sri Lanka in its efforts to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Sri Lanka.

• PM also declared that we believe that the early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and going beyond it would contribute to this process.

• PM Modi became the first Indian PM to visit Jaffna.

• PM unveiled the foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Centre to be built under a grant offered by India.

• He handed over certificates to the beneficiaries of the Indian Housing Project for internally displaced persons.

• At Talaimannar, he flagged off the inaugural train on the track to Madhu Road. PM also visited the ancient temple of Naguleswaram at Jaffna.

• The problems of fishermen were also discussed during the talks. PM pointed out that this was a complex issue involving livelihood and humanitarian concerns on both sides, India and Sri Lanka need to find a long term solution.

• PM also underscored our common Buddhist heritage. He visited the Mahabodhi Society in Colombo, offered ‘Dana’ to monks and planted a sapling.

• PM also offered prayers along with President Sirisena at the venerated Sri Mahabodhi Tree at Anuradhapura.

• PM Modi addressed the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce where he spoke of new purpose and clarity in our policies and pointed out the benefits of regional economic cooperation.

• Among the main outcomes of the PM’s talks in Sri Lanka were:

  • a) inclusion of Sri Lanka in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme from 14th April, coinciding with the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year; b) setting up of a Joint Task Force to develop the Trincomalee Upper Oil Tank Farm; c) announcement of a fresh line of credit for US$318 million for Sri Lanka’s railway sector; d) extension of currency swap facility of US$1.5 billion by Reserve Bank of India to Sri Lanka’s Central Bank; e) creating a Joint Task Force for cooperation in the Ocean Economy; f) direct flights between Delhi and Colombo by Air India to begin this summer; g) holding of a Festival of India in Sri Lanka; and h) cooperation in development of a Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist circuit in India.

• Four agreements/ MOUs were signed during the visit: on customs cooperation; visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders; youth development; and construction of an auditorium in Ruhuna University in Matara, Sri Lanka