PM Modi concludes 2-nation visit to Maldives, Sri Lanka: Highlights

* In

Sri Lanka

, Modi held talks with top Lankan leadership and discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral ties with the island nation, reflecting the importance India attaches to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy. He also visited a Catholic church bombed during the Easter suicide attacks and paid tributes to the victims.

* After paying tributes to the victims of the

Easter attacks

, Modi visited the Sri Lankan President's House where he was accorded a ceremonial reception.

President Maithripala Sirisena

held an umbrella to provide cover to himself and PM Modi from rain. Modi also received a special gift, a replica of the Samadhi Buddha Statue, from his "special friend" Sirisena.



* PM Modi today held talks with Sri Lanka President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and leader of the opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also interacted with the Indian diaspora at India House in

Colombo

and thanked the community.

* During his one-day visit to

Maldives

on Saturday, PM Modi held wide-ranging talks with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. India and Maldives signed six agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in key areas like defence and maritime security. A coastal surveillance radar system and a composite training centre for the Maldives defence forces were jointly inaugurated by Modi and Solih.

* Prime Minister Modi was conferred with the Maldives' highest honour "Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen" during his visit. He also addressed the Maldivian Parliament, the Majlis, an indication of India's important position in the neighbourhood.

* With focus on "cricket diplomacy", PM Modi said India will help promote the sport in the Maldives and fulfil President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's mission to develop cricket in the country to consolidate people-to-people relations. Modi also gifted a cricket bat to Solih signed by the Indian cricket team after holding bilateral talks.



* Giving a push to enhance connectivity, India and Maldives also agreed to start a ferry service from Kochi in Kerala to the Maldives.



* PM Modi visited the two island nations within 24 hours, taking part in 15 engagements in total, said ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

* After wrapping up his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday evening arrived in the temple town of Tirupati to offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara, atop the sacred Tirumala Hills. On landing in Andhra Pradesh, PM Modi was received by chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy at the airport. He also addressed a public meeting in Tirupati.

(With agency inputs)

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