Visit of Indian Ocean Island Nations reflection of New Delhi's foreign policy: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of his five-day, three nation trip to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, on Tuesday said that the countries in question are an important component of India's foreign policy.

In his statement, the Prime Minister said that India has a 'strong, multifaceted and important relationship' with all three nations.

"I am keenly looking forward to my three nation tour of Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka on March 10-14. We have a strong, multifaceted and important relationship with each, and they all occupy a very important place in our foreign policy," the statement read.

"My visit to the three Indian Ocean Island countries reflects our foreign policy priorities in India's immediate and extended neighbourhood. India attaches paramount importance to strengthening relations with this region, which is vital for India's security and progress," it added.

Speaking about Seychelles, Prime Minister Modi termed the island nation 'a great friend' of India.

"My first destination will be Seychelles. India's relationship with Seychelles has been built on the foundation of mutual trust and shared values. My visit to Seychelles will be the first Prime Ministerial visit to Seychelles since 1981. I am keenly looking forward to my meeting with President James Michel, a great friend of India," the statement read.

Prime Minister Modi further stated that he is 'honoured' to be the Chief Guest for Mauritius Independence Day celebrations.

"On March 11-12, I will be in Mauritius. I am honoured to have been invited to be the Chief Guest at the Independence Day celebrations in Mauritius on March 12, a date special to all Indians because Mahatma Gandhi began his Dandi March on the same date in 1930. My visit to Mauritius will aim to strengthen our age-old civilizational ties with "Chhota Bharat"," the statement said.

"I am honoured to be invited to address the National Assembly of Mauritius. I will be participating in the joint commissioning of Indian-built Offshore Patrol Vessel Barracuda, and in the beginning of construction works for the building of World Hindi Secretariat," it added.

"I look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth ways in which we can further deepen our strategic partnership. I also look forward to meeting the entire political leadership of Mauritius, which has provided unstinting support for this relationship," it also said.

With regards to his visit to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that this is the first visit to the island nation by an Indian prime minister in 28 years.

"My visit to Sri Lanka will be the first standalone Prime Ministerial visit to Sri Lanka since 1987. This will be our second Summit in a month's time since the visit of President Maithripala Sirisena to India last month. I see this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen our relationship in all its dimensions - political, strategic, economic, cultural, and above all, people to people contacts," his statement read.

"This visit is also part of my objective of maintaining frequent contact with our neighbouring countries. I am delighted with the opportunity to visit one of our most important neighbours. I look forward to discussing our bilateral relations with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. I am also looking forward to meeting other political leaders of Sri Lanka. We will work together to forge a new partnership between our countries," it added.

"I am deeply honoured to be invited to address the Parliament of Sri Lanka. My programme also includes some of the most important symbols of our timeless relationship. I will be visiting the Mahabodhi Society in Colombo, and travel to Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna, and interact with the cross-section of society. In Jaffna, I will be laying the foundation stone for the iconic Jaffna Cultural Centre that will come up adjacent to the historic Jaffna Public Library," it further said.