India and Sri Lanka are poised to sign a significant defence cooperation pact during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing visit to Colombo, a move aimed at reinforcing bilateral relations and curbing the expanding military footprint of China in the region.

The defence agreement is one of eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) expected to be signed, covering vital sectors such as defence, energy, health, and digitalisation.

One of the MoUs will focus on supplying affordable energy to Sri Lanka, offering much-needed relief amid the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

Beyond defence, the visit includes high-level talks on debt restructuring, connectivity enhancement, and strategic cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements are expected to significantly elevate diplomatic and economic engagement between the two nations.

PM Modi arrived in Colombo on Friday to a warm welcome, with hundreds of Sri Lankans and members of the Indian diaspora braving heavy rains to greet him. He was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by top ministers from Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s Cabinet, including Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, and Labour Minister Anil Jayantha.

Ahead of the visit, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasised the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the two nations. “The India-Sri Lanka relationship is deeply rooted in civilisational links, shared history, religion, culture, and strong people-to-people ties,” he said. “Sri Lanka is an integral part of our ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.”

This is PM Modi’s first visit to Sri Lanka since President Dissanayake assumed office. The two leaders are expected to witness the exchange of multiple agreements across energy, defence, health, and digital infrastructure.

They will also assess progress on initiatives outlined in the “Joint Vision for Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future,” adopted during President Dissanayake’s visit to India in December.

PM Modi is scheduled to meet with other political leaders before traveling with President Dissanayake to Anuradhapura on Sunday. There, they will inaugurate Indian-funded development projects and pay homage at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple—an iconic symbol of the shared civilisational heritage of India and Sri Lanka. PM Modi had previously visited the temple in 2015 and again in 2019.

Among the bilateral concerns to be addressed are issues related to Indian fishermen, with both leaders expected to discuss repatriation and the release of detained fishermen and their boats.

The visit underscores India’s continued emphasis on strengthening neighbourhood ties and promoting regional stability through cooperation, particularly in light of growing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean.