(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that Prime Minister Modi became the first Prime Minister of India to visit Sri Lanka after a gap of 28 years, with his historic visit to the island in March 2015.
He visited Sri Lanka again in May 2017 as Chief Guest at the International Vesak Day celebrations.
“The decisive mandate for PM Modi in the recent elections in India is a reflection of support for continuation of the Government’s policies. The continuation and further strengthening of these policies is also in Sri Lanka’s interest,” he said.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu said that Prime Minister Modi will carry the message of solidarity and hope from the people of India to the people of Sri Lanka, in the aftermath of April 21 attacks, when he visits Sri Lanka on Sunday.
The High Commissioner was speaking after he inaugurated the 21st Diploma Course in Diplomacy & World Affairs at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI) in Colombo today.
This was High Commissioner’s first public address in Sri Lanka, after the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India.
“Terrorism and radicalism pose a collective threat to humanity. The recent attacks in Sri Lanka, is not just against Sri Lanka. Terrorism anywhere in the world attacks the conscience of whole humanity; it attacks the human spirit that we are one. The divisive Jihadi ideology needs to be isolated and eliminated, as it is a threat to regional security and global peace. PM Modi has offered all possible assistance in this regard, should Sri Lanka require,” the High Commissioner said.
He also said that India has always been a First Responder to Sri Lanka’s needs and priorities.
