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<ul class="generic-article__summary--ul content--ul"><li class="generic-article__summary--li content--li">Prime Minister Narendra Modi on first foreign trip since winning re-election.</li><li class="generic-article__summary--li content--li">India is pursuing a ‘neighbourhood first’ foreign policy centred on its allies in South Asia.</li></ul>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first overseas trip since being elected to a second term by travelling to Sri Lanka and Maldives where he sought to fend off China’s influence on the strategic nations. Modi on Sunday was received at the airport in Colombo by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, before scheduled talks with President Maithripala Sirisena and opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Modi was stopping in Colombo for a few hours on his return home after an official visit to neighbouring Maldives, where he inaugurated a coastal radar system and military training centre. <div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="19448" retweetcount="2835" status="Happy to be back in Sri Lanka, my third visit to this beautiful island in four years. Share the warmth shown by the… https://t.co/1i6uy8yaUa" createdat="1560060219000" id="1137601127602540545"></div>

 Sri Lanka has leased a Chinese-built port located near the world’s busiest east-west shipping route to a Chinese firm in 2017 for 99 years in a bid to recover from the heavy burden of repaying a Chinese loan to build the facility. Hambantota port is part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative that stretches from Chinese waters to the Persian Gulf. In March this year, China also agreed to provide a <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3002960/china-give-us989-million-loan-sri-lanka-major-new-motorway" class="link-text">US$989 million loan</a> to Sri Lanka to build a motorway that will connect the island nation’s tea-growing central region to the southern port. Sri Lanka has been trying to balance both Asian giants.

It’s ‘India first’ as PM Narendra Modi seeks to fend off China in Maldives and Sri Lanka

(Image Credit- IANS) <ul><li>The Indian government has reiterated its plan to increase its <keyword id="7117032" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-Health-spending">public health spending</keyword>, with PM <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> promising to spend up to $100 billion. </li><li>As of now, the country spends 1.16% of GDP in public health. </li><li>Indian policymakers have faced criticism about its low public health spending.</li></ul>The Indian government has reiterated its plan to increase its public health spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025, with PM Narendra Modi promising to spend up to $100 billion, Live Mint <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/I7KXpCYJ5D7LQhEaQku9EL/Centre-seeks-to-boost-public-health-spending-to-25-of-GDP.html">reported</a> citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is working towards increasing India’s health spending to over $100 billion, said PM Narendra Modi while address the Partners’ Forum meet, according to the media <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/I7KXpCYJ5D7LQhEaQku9EL/Centre-seeks-to-boost-public-health-spending-to-25-of-GDP.html">report</a>s. While the government has been promising to boost its expenditure in public health sector since last year, India’s expenditure is less than most of the low-income countries, <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/india/indias-per-capita-expenditure-on-healthcare-among-lowest-in-the-world-govt-spends-as-little-as-rs-3-per-day-on-each-citizen-4559761.html">said</a> First Post. In fact, India’s neighboring country, Sri Lanka, spends four times the per capita expenditure of India on health. The proportion of health spent by Bhutan on public health is 2.9%, while the Maldives sheds as much as 9.4% of GDP on healthcare. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed that India is also inching closure its target of reducing the mortality rate for women and children. It is on the road to achieving <keyword id="879547" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-development-goals">sustainable development goals</keyword> (SDG) targets for maternal and child health. Speaking about the high cost spent by families to avail medical facility, The Prime Minister emphasized on ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ which aims to provide comprehensive primary care. It also promotes a healthy lifestyle and yoga through health and wellness centers, according to the<a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/I7KXpCYJ5D7LQhEaQku9EL/Centre-seeks-to-boost-public-health-spending-to-25-of-GDP.html"> report.</a>

Indian government commits to increasing public health spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025—but is that enough?

<ul><li>Nearly 70% of the respondents in a survey conducted by a Singapore-based think tank, said that their governments should be careful when it came to negotiating <keyword id="387907" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="BRI">BRI</keyword> projects with <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>. </li><li>In June 2018, Indian PM Narendra <keyword id="6354642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Modi">Modi</keyword> decided against endorsing the programme, citing threats to “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of participating nations. </li><li>In August last year, <keyword id="8695" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Malaysia">Malaysia</keyword>’s new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, scrapped $22 billion of Chinese infrastructure projects, pointing out their lack of feasibility. </li></ul> Many more countries are viewing China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with suspicion. China’s expanding presence across the rest of Asia, primarily through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has drawn its fair share of detractors in the Western world such as the US, which has been weary of its increase military operations. In particular, the initiative's critics have cited China’s expansionism across Southeast Asia by extending large sums of credit to governments of smaller nations for development projects. Closer to home, the BRI, which involves infrastructure investments and trade partnerships across the region, has also been looked upon with apprehension by <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. In June 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-refuses-to-endorse-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative/article24128902.ece">against endorsing the programme</a>, citing the threats to “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of participating nations. However, India isn’t alone in its doubts about the BRI. Nearly 70% of the respondents in <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/se-asian-peers-back-indias-stance-on-bri/articleshow/67615805.cms">a survey</a> conducted across Southeast Asia earlier this month by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a Singapore-based think tank, said that their governments should be careful when it came to negotiating BRI projects with China. In addition, around half the respondents felt that China intended to turn the region into <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/southeast-asia-wary-china-belt-road-initiative-survey-190107030233089.html">“its sphere of influence”</a> while 60% felt that the US’s clout in the region had deteriorated over the past year. A third also said that the BRI was distinguished by a lack of transparency. In fact, the doubts were overwhelmingly expressed by respondents in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. “Encourages dependency” The apprehension is well-founded, as China has made significant inroads into most of India’s immediate neighbours- <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword>, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, <keyword id="6354908" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="maldives">Maldives</keyword> and most importantly, Pakistan, through <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/china-defends-cpec-as-pakistan-assesses-the-viability-of-the-initiative/articleshow/66134638.cms">the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</a> (which also runs through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir), thereby straining India’s relations with these countries and forming a strategic military circle around it, commonly referred to as the “String of Pearls.” In addition, its practice of investing large sums in these countries in lieu of infrastructure development and access to their markets, has raised concerns that by trapping these countries in a debt cycle, it wields a unhealthy level of influence over them. This can be seen in Pakistan, which is mired in a debt crisis, and Sri Lanka, which <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/world/asia/sri-lanka-china-port.html">surrendered a 99-year lease</a> on its $1.3 billion Hambantota port to China in December 2017 after failing to meet its debt payments. In March last year, the former US Secretary of State didn’t mince any words with regards to his administration’s <a href="https://translations.state.gov/2018/03/06/remarks-secretary-of-state-rex-tillerson-on-u-s-africa-relations-a-new-framework/">view of China’s overtures to smaller nations</a>, saying that the country “encourages dependency using opaque contracts, predatory loan practices, and corrupt deals that mire nations in debt and undercut their sovereignty”. In August last year, Malaysia’s new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, scrapped <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/malaysia-has-axed-22-billion-of-chinese-backed-projects-in-a-blow-to-chinas-grand-plan-to-dominate-world-trade/articleshow/65490794.cms">$22 billion of Chinese infrastructure projects</a>, pointing out their lack of feasibility and the need to reduce the country’s debt burden. India has made attempts to counter China’s influence, but it simply doesn’t boast the same financial clout. In December 2018, the Indian government announced that it was extending <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-cost-of-gaining-influence-india-promises-maldives-1-4-billion-in-aid-as-the-island-nation-looks-to-reduce-its-debts-to-china/articleshow/67141562.cms">$1.4 billion</a> in financial aid to Maldives to fund its “socio-economic development” programs and pay back some of its loans to China. For its part, China seems unperturbed by conventional opinions regarding the BRI. Despite the bad PR and unwillingness of some countries to cooperate, the country does not seem to have any intentions of slowing down. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pakistans-new-government-just-took-an-important-first-step-to-reducing-its-debt-obligation-to-china/articleshow/66053651.cms">Pakistan’s new government just took an important first step to reducing its debt obligation to China</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/malaysia-has-axed-22-billion-of-chinese-backed-projects-in-a-blow-to-chinas-grand-plan-to-dominate-world-trade/articleshow/65490794.cms">Malaysia has axed $22 billion of Chinese-backed projects, in a blow to China's grand plan to dominate world trade</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/as-sri-lankas-political-crisis-continues-its-unofficial-government-has-awarded-two-key-port-contracts-to-chinese-companies-heres-what-that-means-for-india/articleshow/66879136.cms">As Sri Lanka’s political crisis continues, its ‘unofficial’ government has awarded two key port contracts to Chinese companies — here’s what that means for India</a>

China’s Belt and Road Initiative is stoking fear across Southeast Asia

(Image source-https://presidency.gov.mv) <ul><li>On 17 December, the Indian government announced that it was extending $1.4 billion in financial <keyword id="6421428" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="aid">aid</keyword> to the island nation to help the latter fund its “socio-economic development” programs. </li><li>During the previous administration of President Abdullah Yameen, <keyword id="6354908" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="maldives">Maldives</keyword> took on a lot of loans from Chinese entities to fund infrastructure projects and currently needs to service them. </li><li>As part of his election agenda, Maldives’ new President, Mohamed <keyword id="6668637" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="solih">Solih</keyword>, said he would renegotiate or cancel contracts that the previous government had signed with <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword> so as to curtail the country’s <keyword id="44647" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="debt">debt</keyword> burden. </li></ul> As expected, the visit of Maldives’ new President, Mohamed Solih, to India this week primarily hinged on one goal: securing some form of financial assistance to help it repay its debts. India’s Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, seeking to cement a relationship with an important regional neighbour, was happy to oblige. On 17 December, the Indian government - which is currently struggling to meet its fiscal deficit targets - <a href="http://www.pib.nic.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1556315">announced</a> that it was extending $1.4 billion in financial aid to the island nation. The assistance won’t completely be a direct cash transfer, but will also take the form of currency swap and credit lines. In exchange, India could also be allowed to <a href="https://maldivesindependent.com/politics/india-offers-us1-billion-in-exchange-for-military-presence-142961">establish a military presence</a> in Maldives. The announcement is a natural progression in the relationship between the two countries following the election win of Solih, which portended a move away from China in favour of India. The two countries also signed a number of pacts, one of which related to visa facilitation. The Indian government said that the aid would be used to help Maldives fund its “socio-economic development” programmes. However, Maldives finances clearly need a boost as it looks to service what could be as much a few billion dollars of debt to China, although the actual number has <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/after-building-spree-just-how-much-does-the-maldives-owe-china-5462332/">proved elusive so far</a>. During the previous administration of President Abdullah Yameen, the island nation took on a lot of debt from Chinese entities to fund infrastructure projects like bridges and airports. From China’s point of view, it made sense to gain influence in a country which fell in the middle of many important shipping routes towards the West. As part of his election agenda, Solih said he would renegotiate or cancel contracts that the Yameen government had signed with China so as to curtail the country’s debt burden. Last month, he was reportedly planning <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-bid-for-greater-influence-in-the-maldives-gets-a-boost-as-the-island-nation-reportedly-looks-to-scrap-a-trade-deal-with-china/articleshow/66708410.cms">to scrap a free trade agreement </a>with China. The Modi administration sees China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean as a threat and hence, is looking to neutralise it by strengthening ties with regional neighbours. The example of Maldives is a suitable template for many countries in the region, such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Malaysia, that find themselves with a lot of debts to repay to China. Wresting influence in Maldives from China will be an important win for India as it looks to protect its interests in the Indian Ocean. While it doesn’t boast the financial clout of China, it will, in all likelihood, have no choice but to offer financial and trade incentives to countries in the region. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-bid-for-greater-influence-in-the-maldives-gets-a-boost-as-the-island-nation-reportedly-looks-to-scrap-a-trade-deal-with-china/articleshow/66708410.cms">India’s bid for greater influence in the Maldives gets a boost as the island nation reportedly looks to scrap a trade deal with China</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/heres-what-the-result-of-maldives-presidential-election-means-for-india-and-china/articleshow/65948750.cms">Here’s what the result of Maldives’ Presidential election means for India and China</a>

The cost of gaining influence: India promises Maldives $1.4 billion in aid as the island nation looks to reduce its debts to China

<ul class="summary-list"><li>32 people - including a former <keyword id="6354908" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="maldives">Maldives</keyword> minister - were arrested over the sexual exploitation of a teenage girl.</li><li>She was being sold online for sexual services over a period of three months. </li><li>Police said 22 people are known to have had sex with the minor.</li></ul>A former Maldives minister and politicians from <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword>'s ruling party were part of over 30 people arrested in connection with a child <keyword id="386171" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="sex-trafficking">sex trafficking</keyword> case in Sri Lanka, police said Monday. Sri Lanka police discovered <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/ex-maldives-minister--sri-lanka-politicians-arrested-over-child-sex-racket-15161200">two websites advertising girls for sexual activities</a>, according to an AFP report on Channel <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news">News</keyword> <keyword id="21718" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Asia">Asia</keyword>.One of the girls advertised is a 15-year-old police say was repeatedly raped by nearly two dozen men."We have 32 people in custody, and 22 of them are known to have had sex with the minor," Sri Lanka Police Deputy Inspector-General Ajith Rohana told the AFP. The racket was busted after a 35-year-old was arrested last month for <a href="https://ceylontoday.lk/news/sexual-exploitation-of-a-minor-maldivian-national-identified-as-former-state-minister-of-finance">selling the teenager online for sex over a period of three months</a>, reported Ceylon Today.Those arrested include Maldives' former State Minister for Finance Mohamed Ashmalee, politicians from Sri Lanka's United National ruling party, a merchant navy captain, a wealthy gem dealer, and a Buddhist monk.Charges have not yet been filed. Ashmalee, the former Maldives minister, will be held on remand until July 16, a court official told AFP. His lawyer claimed the finance minister was trying to book a massage online, and was unaware the site was part of an online child sex trafficking ring. The 15-year-old's mother, along with the website owner and the financial controller of the website, was also part of the 32 arrested, reported Ceylon Today. In recent years, Sri Lanka has made significant steps to curtail the sex trafficking of minors but remains on the US State Department's <a href="https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/sri-lanka/">Tier 2</a> watch list of countries that have failed to meet the minimum standards set in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

A former Maldives minister, Sri Lankan politicians, and a Buddhist monk were arrested over child sex exploitation in Sri Lanka

It’s been a little over two years that <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> took his oath as the Prime Minister of India, and in these two years, he has travelled 51 times abroad to 42 countries across six continents. While one can say that it’s because of India’s increasing commitments at multilateral forums that he has to travel so much, given that several of his trips, including ones he made to Sri Lanka, Australia, Nepal, Seychelles, UAE, Canada and Fiji were strategic for bilateral pacts, the truth can’t be denied that by the time his term ends in 2019, he could well be the most travelled Indian PM ever. 
 
As per ET, Modi has travelled a total of 1,91,069 miles since he became the PM, taking 9 foreign trips in 2014, 28 in 2015 and 14 in 2016 so far. In the coming three years, he will possibly be travelling to Vietnam, China, Laos, Pakistan, Japan, Israel, China, Kazakhstan, Phillipines, Moscow, Germany, South Africa, and Shanghai for several meetings and summits, involving BRICS, East Asia Summit, G-20 meetings etc. 
 
However, it’s not like Modi is the only PM who loves to (read has to) travel. His immediate predecessor Manmohan Singh comes quite close when one counts the number of foreign trips undertaken in the first two years. Other than him, late PM Indira Gandhi was also a very well-travelled PM, having been to Afghanistan and Trinidad and Tobago in her regime. 
 
<a href="https://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BN-IK973_0515mo_M_20150514223136.jpg">Image source</a>

PM Modi set to make records as India’s most travelled PM ever

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">REUTERS/Dinuka LiyanawatteSri Lankan soldiers during a rehearsal for Sri Lanka's 69th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, February 2, 2017.</div></div></div><ul><li>India is watching warily as China tries to build ties with countries throughout South Asia.</li><li>Beijing's latest gesture is gifting a naval frigate to Sri Lanka.</li><li>These maneuvers come as India and China compete for influence throughout the region.</li></ul>China wants to deepen military ties with Sri Lanka through training and the gift of a navy frigate, a Chinese official said this week, outlining the latest front in a battle for influence between <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/most-powerful-militaries-in-the-world-ranked-2018-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asia's two most powerful countries</a>.Senior Colonel Xu Jianwei, an official at the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, <a href="http://colombogazette.com/2018/07/23/china-to-boost-military-ties-with-sri-lanka-and-gift-frigate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Beijing this year will continue offering training courses for the Sri Lankan military and will finish work on a Chinese-funded auditorium at the smaller country's military academy. Preparations will also be made to give a frigate to the Sri Lankan navy as a gift."As a good and true friend, over the past decades, China has provided powerful support to the social-economic development and military and <keyword id="6354810" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="defense">defense</keyword> construction of Sri Lanka," Xu <a href="http://colombogazette.com/2018/07/23/china-to-boost-military-ties-with-sri-lanka-and-gift-frigate/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>."In the past few years, two militaries have witnessed the deepening communication and cooperation in the areas of personnel training, joint training, maritime security, etc.," he added.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Navy Office of Legislative AffairsA Chinese Type 054A frigate.</div></div></div>Xu, speaking at an event to mark the 91st anniversary of the founding of China's People's Liberation Army, did not offer any details about the frigate, but it's the latest exchange in Beijing and Colombo's tight military relationship."It was China's assistance to the Rajapaksa government during their military offensive against the Tamil Tigers in the late 2000s that opened the door to a major expansion of Chinese investments and influence in the country," said Jeff Smith, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, where he focuses on South Asia.That assistance came after the US <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/how-beijing-won-sri-lankas-civil-war-1980492.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ended direct military</a> aid over Sri Lanka's poor human-rights record, and it arrived in the form of political cover at the UN and of sophisticated military hardware, like six F7 fighter jets.President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in office between 2005 and 2015, nutured ties with China, including a 2013 deal that saw Beijing provide <a href="http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/china-to-train-sri-lankan-army-to-provide-military-technology/1123290/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$2.2 billion</a> in funding and defense technology and military training.Rajapaksa was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/25/world/asia/china-sri-lanka-port.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">criticized for debts</a> his government took on from China, which also reportedly funded his most recent campaign, which he lost to current President Maithripala Sirisena.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">REUTERS/Dinuka LiyanawatteSri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) members perform at a rescue demonstration in Kalutara, Sri Lanka, February 27, 2018.</div></div></div>Upon taking office, Sirisena <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-chinas-xi-offers-fresh-295-million-grant-to-sri-lanka-in-push-for-dominance-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> most of the Chinese-backed projects started by his predecessor. But his government remains heavily indebted to Beijing, and he has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-chinas-xi-offers-fresh-295-million-grant-to-sri-lanka-in-push-for-dominance-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allowed</a> some projects to resume and continued making <a href="http://colombogazette.com/2016/12/03/sri-lanka-to-buy-more-military-transport-planes-from-china/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deals</a> for military equipment.That China would now offer up a frigate as a gift isn't really surprising, Smith said."Gifting a frigate to Sri Lanka can be seen as yet another attempt to curry favor with the government and military," he said, pointing to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-chinas-xi-offers-fresh-295-million-grant-to-sri-lanka-in-push-for-dominance-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the $295 million</a> Beijing recently "gifted" to Sirisena "to use on a project of his choosing, even as [China] continues to enjoy close ties to the opposition, which is eyeing a political comeback.""It's fairly standard practice in the region," Smith said. "India frequently gifts used military hardware to neighboring countries."India has given Mi-25 attack helicopters <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/mi-25-attack-helicopter-gifted-by-india-to-afghanistan-reaches-kabul-3-more-to-follow/articleshow/50275035.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to Afghanistan</a> and patrol boats to its smaller neighbors. This sping, New Delhi reportedly caught its <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/india-will-gift-obsolete-military-equipment-to-friendly-countries/1143098/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">military by surprise</a> with a request for a list of obsolete equipment that could be refurbished cheaply and given to "friendly" countries.China's presence in Sri Lanka has become more of a concern for India. Sri Lanka allowed a Chinese submarine to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/sri-lanka-china-submarine/chinese-submarine-docks-in-sri-lanka-despite-indian-concerns-idINKBN0IM0LU20141102" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dock in Colombo</a> in 2014 despite New Delhi's concern. In May 2017, during a visit by India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sri Lanka said it had <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/diplomacy/article/2094093/sri-lanka-refuses-port-call-chinese-submarine-after-indian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> another request for Chinese sub to visit.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Christopher Woody/Google Maps</div></div></div>Straining to repay debts incurred by Rajapaksa's government, Sri Lanka decided in late 2017 to grant China control of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/indias-concern-with-beijing-expansion-grows-with-sri-lanka-port-deal-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strategically valuable port of Hambantota</a> for 99 years. That concession stoked concern in New Delhi that China would expand its military presence there.The current Sri Lankan government has said it won't allow a larger Chinese military presence there, as it is "cognizant of the furor it sparked in Delhi when Chinese submarines first surfaced in Colombo in 2014," Smith said."It's possible that calculation could change if the more China-friendly Rajapaksas return to power in elections next year," he added, "but even they will be cautious about the backlash it could trigger in India and beyond."In June, Sri Lanka announced that <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2153246/sri-lanka-base-navys-southern-command-chinese-run" target="_blank" rel="noopener">it would move</a> its southern naval command to Hambantota, though Colombo again stressed that it would not allow Beijing to use the port for military purposes.<h2>'A tectonic shift'</h2>India's security focus has undergone "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-to-buy-submarines-amid-china-naval-activity-in-the-indian-ocean-2017-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a tectonic shift</a>" toward its southern approaches in recent years, but its northern frontier, much of which is shared with China, remains a point of contention.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">AP Photo/Manish SwarupIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Goa, India, October 16, 2016.</div></div></div>The two countries were locked in months-long standoff in summer 2017 over a small chunk of territory in the eastern Himalayas, where China <a href="https://thewire.in/diplomacy/china-bhutan-belt-and-road-initiative-doklam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">accused</a> India of violating the sovereignty of Bhutan. Amid that showdown, Chinese and Indian troops also came to blows in the western Himalayas, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/video-of-chinese-indian-troops-fighting-with-stones-at-himalaya-border-2017-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pelting each other with stones and rifle butts</a>.Heads have cooled since that standoff, and both sides have pulled troops from the border. But China signaled again this month that it's looking to gain an edge over India with neighbors like Bhutan, which China has been courting for some time.During a three-day trip to the small landlocked country - the first by a senior Chinese official since the border standoff - Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-china-seeks-bhutan-border-cooperation-after-india-spat-2018-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Beijing held their friendship in high regard and that China <a href="https://thewire.in/diplomacy/china-bhutan-belt-and-road-initiative-doklam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">respected</a> Bhutan's "independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity."The gift to Sri Lanka and the kind words in Bhutan "both serve to reinforce the broad trend of China attempting (mostly successfully) to expand its influence and presence in South Asia and the Indian Ocean," Smith said. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-yuan-not-euro-could-become-global-currency-dollar-china-usa-eu-dharshini-david-2018-4">Why China's Yuan, not the Euro, could become the dominant global currency</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

China is giving away a warship, and it's the latest sign of the growing rivalry between Asia's 2 most powerful militaries

<ul><ul class="summary-list "><li>At least 207 people are dead and 450 others have been injured after a series of explosions hit churches and hotels in <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword>.</li><li>The churches were bombed as worshippers attended Easter Sunday service.</li><li>The hotels targeted are among the most luxurious in Sri Lanka's capital. 35 foreigners have been killed, <a href="https://www.afp.com/en/news/15/blasts-sri-lanka-hotels-and-churches-kill-156-doc-1ft48d4">AFP cited hospital sources as saying</a>. Eight explosions in various locations have now been reported. </li></ul></ul>At least 207 people were killed in a series of blasts on Easter Sunday Blasts in Sri Lanka, targeting three churches and three hotels. As of 1 pm, more than 400 people were wounded and hospitalized, reported Reuters. 
 
 
 
 
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 AFP news agency quoting Sri Lankan Police said the toll in <keyword id="7550956" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka-blasts">Sri Lanka blasts</keyword> had risen to 156, including 35 foreigners. The blasts took place at three churches located at Kochchikade, Negombo and Batticaloa. The three hotels that were targeted are located in Colombo, and include Shangri La Colombo, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, and Kingsbury Hotel, according to media reports. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has urged the people to remain strong and united in the tragic time. The Prime Minister is reportedly going to conduct a national security council meeting at his house. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, in a special message read out on local news channels, has requested the people to remain calm and help the authorities in the investigation. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack and said the country stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Indian President Ram Nath Kovind also condemned the attack. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 St. Sebastian’s church, which was among the target, posted pictures showing destructions and bloodshed after the blast on its Facebook Page and urged people to help. The post read “A bomb attack to our church please come and help if your family members are there” No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks. Several peace messages "Pray For Sri Lanka" were trending on social media. Messages and prayers also poured in from celebrities. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 Former Sri Lankan captain of the cricket team, <keyword id="79577" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Angelo-Mathews">Angelo Mathews</keyword> in a recent tweet has requested people to not to believe in rumors. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 A travel advisory had been issued by the US embassy in Colombo advising citizens to follow local security instructions and “exercise extreme caution.” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Sunday that she was in touch with the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo as six explosions hit churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, killing at least 20 people. "Colombo - I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation," the Minister said in a tweet. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="golrizghahraman" handlename="Golriz Ghahraman" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1035120828780707840/PRgmSRXp_normal.jpg" favoritecount="121" retweetcount="22" status="Devastated for Sri Lanka, especially the targeted Christian community. In a nation who has seen so much violence an… https://t.co/a3297hWuYK" createdat="1555826450000" id="1119843413006774272"></div>
















	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="AJEnglish" handlename="Al Jazeera English" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/875638617606987776/YBOKib96_normal.jpg" favoritecount="595" retweetcount="614" status="BREAKING: Multiple blasts hit Sri Lanka churches and hotels on Easter Sunday https://t.co/3Xn6pRk0kU https://t.co/FHAHmOUr4N" createdat="1555824930000" id="1119837039392899073"></div>















 Helpline numbers for Indian citizens in need of assistance or who seek clarification are: +94777903082, +94112422788, +94112422789, +94777902082 and +94772234176. With IANS

Easter Sunday Blasts: Deadly explosion kills 207, Sri Lankan Prime Minister urges people to stay united and strong

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A series of recent trips by US officials to small island countries in the Pacific and Indian oceans reflects those islands' role in the US's plans to counter <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>'s growing clout.</li><li>The US has longstanding ties with many of those countries but doesn't always attach the same importance to issues they care about, which could be a problem, experts say.</li></ul>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Defense Secretary Mark Esper traveled to India last month for the third annual US-India ministerial meeting, underscoring the US's growing ties with one of Asia's biggest countries.But the summit was bookended by Esper's historic trip to <keyword id="52952" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="palau">Palau</keyword> and a stop in <keyword id="6354908" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="maldives">Maldives</keyword> and <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword> by Pompeo, a reflection of small island nations' importance to US plans to counter China's growing influence in the region.Esper's visit to Palau in late August was the first by a US secretary of defense, but the US has "had a continuous military presence there since 1969," Esper <a href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conversation-with-mark-esper/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said at an event</a> in October.<div type="image" title="Mark Esper Tommy Remengesau Palau" height="1344" width="2016" msid="79272717" hostid="261"></div>Palau President Tommy Remengesau greeted Esper with a specific request, asking the US military to "build joint-use facilities, then come and use them regularly."Remengesau repeated his request when Navy Secretary Kenneth Braithwaite visited in October. "Some of Palau's chief infrastructure needs ... are also opportunities to strengthen US military readiness," Remengesau <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/428814/palau-renews-invite-for-us-military-to-move-in" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a> in another letter."Palau is a committed ally," Braithwaite said at an event after his trip. "They're right there at the tip of the spear, on the edge of Chinese influence, and they've committed themselves to us."Pacific and <keyword id="12350" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Indian-Ocean">Indian ocean</keyword> island states have become venues for competition between the US and China, which values their location and their diplomatic support, especially as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-presence-in-pacific-means-for-taiwan-expert-explains-what-2019-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Beijing seeks to turn more countries against Taiwan</a>.The US has territories in the region, like Guam, and partnerships with other countries there, but Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands have signed <a href="https://www.rand.org/blog/2020/09/america-is-betting-big-on-the-second-island-chain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Compacts of Free Association with the US</a>, which are "even closer than alliances in a way," Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the Rand Corporation, told Insider."These countries outsource their militaries to the United States, and the US gets near-exclusive access to an area [of the Pacific] that's the size of the continental US," Grossman said.<div type="image" title="Navy Seabees engineers Marshall Islands" height="1875" width="2500" msid="79272718" hostid="261"></div>Their location in the Second Island Chain provides what Grossman called "uninhibited sea lines of communication" from Hawaii to to the First Island Chain, which includes Taiwan and the Philippines."It's a really big deal" for the US to have those compacts "so the US military can maintain this near-exclusive access to the area," Grossman added.The US military command responsible for the area <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-renames-pacific-command-to-indo-pacific-command-to-counter-china-2018-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changed its name from Pacific Command to Indo-Pacific Command</a> in 2018 to reflect what US officials said were linkages between the Pacific and Indian oceans.The US approach to security in the region "doesn't stop at the Straits of Malacca," Assistant Secretary of State David Stilwell said at a briefing before Pompeo's trip.The US, like India, is wary of Beijing's growing presence in the Indian Ocean — specifically in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.In Sri Lanka, Pompeo touted US engagement, saying the US "won't show up with debt packages that a country can't possibly repay" — likely referring to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-japan-navies-build-ties-with-sri-lanka-amid-fight-for-influence-2018-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a deal that gave China long-term access to a port</a> there.<div type="image" title="Maldives Navy Lake Champlain" height="1575" width="2100" msid="79272719" hostid="261"></div>In Maldives, Pompeo announced the opening of the US's first embassy there. "Your role here in the Indo-Pacific and in the <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="international">international</keyword> community is increasingly important, and my country wants to remain a good partner," Pompeo said while there.Indian Ocean island nations will play "a key role" in geopolitical competition there, and boosting engagement with them will be "a priority for many," Darshana Baruah, an expert on the region at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told Insider.Baruah said Pompeo's visit, as well as the US-Maldives defense agreement <a href="https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2344512/the-maldives-and-us-sign-defense-agreement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> in September, "reflects Washington's increasing interest" but noted that the US's overall presence in the region is still "quite thin.""Exercises, training, and even port calls from the US Navy ... especially beyond Maldives [are] weak," Baruah said. "Given Washington's priorities in the Pacific and the Middle East, we are yet to see how and to what degree is the US willing to invest in the Indian Ocean."<h2>An existential blind spot</h2><div type="image" title="Navy Seabees engineers Micronesia" height="1406" width="2500" msid="79272721" hostid="261"></div>In the weeks after Esper's and Pompeo's trips, the US government <a href="https://www.state.gov/2020-indo-pacific-business-forum-promotes-free-and-open-indo-pacific/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has touted</a> its economic engagement and other <a href="https://www.state.gov/united-states-and-asean-a-billion-futures-across-the-indo-pacific/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">development</a> initiatives across the region. Military <a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/377638/us-military-lands-c130-newly-renovated-angaur-airfield-palau" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interactions</a> have also <a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/382171/us-coast-guard-cutter-sequoia-returns-deployment-furthered-joint-maritime-safety-and-security-improvements-with-republic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">continued</a>.But that engagement is undercut by what many of those countries see as US disregard for <keyword id="6361617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="climate-change">climate change</keyword>."That's our one huge blind spot," Grossman said. "It's an existential issue for these countries. They're already seeing the oceans rise. They may not be around in 50 to 100 years because of it."One of President Donald Trump's first acts was withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, an agreement that Pompeo called "a joke" while in Maldives, where climate change is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-change-maldives/we-cant-wait-maldives-desperate-for-funds-as-islands-risk-going-under-idUSKBN1ZG0XS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">already having an impact</a>.<div type="image" title="Palau" height="1329" width="2000" msid="79272722" hostid="261"></div>Australia, one of the US's closest allies, remains in the Paris deal but hasn't done much else. A lack of action hurts the standing of both in the region, according to Herve Lemahieu, an expert at Australia's Lowy Institute think tank."The existential threat in the Pacific is not China. It's climate change," Lemahieu told Insider in an October interview.President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to rejoin the Paris deal. Pacific Island states welcome that, but a divided government may keep Biden from doing much more.Governments that want those countries' support have to show they take climate change seriously, Lemahieu said."The superpowers that look like they are most engaged on the issues" Pacific and Indian Ocean states care about "will command the greatest soft power," Lemahieu said.

The US's plans to keep a foothold against China in the Pacific have 'one huge blind spot'

<ul><li><keyword id="1334" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>’s regional forum for its Belt and Road Initiative (<keyword id="387907" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="BRI">BRI</keyword>) - dubbed the “21st Century Silk Road” kicks off today with a glaring exclusion. </li><li>India has decided not to participate in the forum for the multi-billion dollar regional connectivity, investment and infrastructure initiative, which is being attended by representatives from around 150 countries as well as officials from the UN and IMF. </li><li>After skipping the forum in May 2017, Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> decided against endorsing the programme in June 2018, citing the threats to “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of participating nations.</li></ul>China’s regional forum for its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - dubbed the “21st Century Silk Road” kicks off today with a glaring exclusion. India has <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-stay-away-from-belt-forum-as-china-tries-to-build-influence/articleshow/69031933.cms">decided not to participate</a> in the forum for the multi-billion dollar regional connectivity, investment and infrastructure initiative, which is being attended by representatives from around 150 countries as well as officials from the UN and IMF. The move has precedence. After skipping the forum <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/media-briefings.htm?dtl/28463/official+spokespersons+response+to+a+query+on+participation+of+india+in+oborbri+forum">in May 2017,</a> Prime Minister Narendra Modi <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-refuses-to-endorse-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative/article24128902.ece">decided against endorsing the programme</a> in June 2018, citing the threats to “sovereignty and territorial integrity” of participating nations. Prior to the decision, China had expressly stated that it wouldn’t <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/no-grudges-if-india-decides-to-skip-bri-forum-china/articleshow/68889260.cms">“hold any grudges”</a> if India didn’t attend the forum. However, the absence of India, which was an important country on the historical <keyword id="621419" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Silk-Road">Silk Road</keyword>, will be a blow to China. The aim of the BRI is to establish a network of trade routes and Chinese-led investment partnerships through Southeast Asia, the Middle East and parts of Europe and Africa. At first glance, the reason for India’s decision seems obvious. In March, China <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/world/china-again-blocks-bid-at-un-to-list-jem-chief-masood-azhar-as-global-terrorist-1552500844426.html">blocked a UN Security Council resolution</a> to designate Masood Azhar - the mastermind behind the February 14th Pulwama attacks - a terrorist. More importantly, a part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a component of BRI, passes through Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir - a region that is the subject of a territorial dispute with India. However, it is also opposed to the BRI for other reasons. These largely pertain to the expansion of China’s military presence across Southeast Asia as well as the practice of trapping participating countries with unmanageable levels of debt for infrastructure projects. China is extending large sums of credit to governments of smaller countries like <keyword id="3001" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan">Pakistan</keyword>, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Maldives for development projects. A stark example is the case of Sri Lanka, which <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/world/asia/sri-lanka-china-port.html">surrendered a 99-year lease</a> on its $1.3 billion Hambantota port to China in December 2017 after failing to meet its debt payments. In March last year, the former US Secretary of State didn’t mince any words with regards to his administration’s view of China’s overtures to smaller nations, saying that the country “encourages dependency using opaque contracts, predatory loan practices, and corrupt deals that mire nations in debt and undercut their sovereignty”. In August last year, Malaysia’s new prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, scrapped $22 billion of Chinese infrastructure projects, pointing out their lack of feasibility and the need to reduce the country’s debt burden. In fact, nearly 70% of the respondents <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/se-asian-peers-back-indias-stance-on-bri/articleshow/67615805.cms">in a survey </a>conducted across Southeast Asia earlier this month by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, a Singapore-based think tank, said that their governments should be careful when it came to negotiating BRI projects with China. In addition, around half the respondents felt that China intended to turn the region into <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/southeast-asia-wary-china-belt-road-initiative-survey-190107030233089.html">“its sphere of influence”</a>. As a result, a major goal of this week’s forum will be the <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/world/chine-to-recalibrate-belt-and-road-initiative-defend-scheme-against-criticism-2114743.html">“rebranding”</a> of the initiative. The Chinese government will emphasise the transparency of and market-based approach to participating projects and seek to clear misunderstandings, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-ready-to-wait-for-indias-bri-participation/article26847994.ece">at a press conference</a>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/chinas-bri-is-stoking-fear-across-southeast-asia/articleshow/67622327.cms">China’s Belt and Road Initiative is stoking fear across Southeast Asia</a>

Here’s why India hasn’t joined the multi-billion dollar ‘21st century Silk Road’ regional connectivity project

New Delhi [<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>], February 12 (ANI): India's instant payment technology service, the Unified Payment Interface (<keyword id="19900911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="upi" source="keywords">UPI</keyword>), was launched on Monday in Sri Lanka and <keyword id="19956313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mauritius" source="keywords">Mauritius</keyword> in a virtual event that was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Mauritius counterpart <keyword id="20547141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pravind-jugnauth" source="keywords">Pravind Jugnauth</keyword> and President of Sri Lanka <keyword id="19911193" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ranil-wickremesinghe" source="keywords">Ranil Wickremesinghe</keyword>. Also, RuPay card services were also launched in Mauritius today. The extension of RuPay card services in Mauritius will enable Mauritian banks to issue cards based on RuPay mechanism in Mauritius and facilitate usage of RuPay Card for settlements both in India and Mauritius. India, which has emerged as a leader in fintech innovation and Digital Public Infrastructure placed a strong emphasis on sharing its development experiences and innovation with partner countries. Given India's robust cultural and people-to-people linkages with Sri Lanka and Mauritius, the launch is expected to benefit a wide cross-section of people through a faster and seamless digital transaction experience and enhance digital connectivity between the countries. Today's launch will enable the availability of UPI settlement services for Indian nationals travelling to Sri Lanka and the Mauritius as well as for Mauritian nationals travelling to India. Addressing the occasion via video conferencing, PM Modi said it was an important event for three countries in the Indian Ocean region. "Today is a special day for three friendly countries in the Indian Ocean region. Today we are connecting our historical relations in a modern digital way. This is proof of our commitment to the development of our people," PM Modi said. He said fintech connectivity will not only strengthen cross-border transactions but also cross-border connections. "FinTech connectivity will not only boost cross-border transactions but also connections. India's UPI (Unified Payment Interface) is now playing the role of 'Uniting Partners with India'," PM Modi said. He asserted that Digital Public Infrastructure such as UPI has brought about changes in the smallest of villages in India, as the technology is convenient and fast. In 2023, a record 100 billion transactions valued at Rs 2 trillion were made via UPI, PM Modi said. "Digital Public Infrastructure has brought about a revolutionary change in India. Even the smallest businessman in our smallest village is making digital payments because it has convenience as well as speed," he said. UPI is India's mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer. UPI payment system has become hugely popular for retail digital payments in India, and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace. A key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only, but other countries, too, benefit from it. So far, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, France, UAE, and Singapore have partnered with India on emerging fintech and payment solutions. (ANI)

India's UPI service now available in Sri Lanka and Mauritius

<ul><li>Over 290 have been killed as multiple explosions that targeted churches and hotels in the country’s capital, Colombo. </li><li>The US embassy has asked travellers to exercise extreme caution, while the UK has issued a travel advisory for <keyword id="7551301" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tourists-in-Sri-Lanka">tourists in Sri Lanka</keyword>.</li></ul>The US embassy in Colombo has asked travellers to follow instructions from local authorities and advised them saying “Please shelter in place and exercise extreme caution.” The United Kingdom, too, has issued a travel advisory for tourists travelling to <keyword id="6355572" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword>. "There have been a number of explosions in Sri Lanka, including Colombo, on Sunday 21 April. Please follow the instructions of local security officials and follow travel advice for updates," the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK <a href="https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/uk-issues-travel-advisory-after-series-blasts-sri-lanka-easter-sunday-100424">said</a> while issuing a notice for people travelling to and from Sri Lanka. Over 290 have been killed as multiple explosions that targeted churches and hotels in the country’s capital, Colombo. Hundreds of worshipers gathered at the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, Kotahena, St. Sebastian's Church in Katuwapitiya in Katana, and the Zion church in Batticaloa to commemorate Easter Sunday, at the time of the explosions. The other three blasts where reported at the Shangri-La, Cinnamon Grand and Kingsbury five-star hotels in Colombo. The Indian High Commission has issued helpline numbers for Indians stranded in Sri Lanka. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, also tweeted “ I am in constant touch with Indian High Commissioner in Colombo. We are keeping a close watch on the situation.” 
 
 
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 The security at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport has also been increased with travellers being <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/sri-lanka-extra-security-means-travellers-should-reach-colombo-airport-four-hours-before-flights-1.851690">told </a>to reach the airport at least four hours prior to departure time.

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Here’s why India hasn’t joined the multi-billion dollar ‘21st century Silk Road’ regional connectivity project

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India's UPI service now available in Sri Lanka and Mauritius

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