Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be in Sri Lanka on Sunday, will visit the places where more than 250 people died in terror bombings on April 21. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, Sri Lankan envoy to India Austin Fernando said PM Modi's visit is an endorsement of solidarity between the two neighbouring countries. Excerpts of the interview:

How do you see the visit by PM Modi to your country?

Very important for us, especially after this disaster. PM Modi going to Sri Lanka is an endorsement of the solidarity between the two countries, that's No. 1. The second is the concern he has for Sri Lanka. No. 3, his going there will be seen as others, like investors, tourists and people who want to do business with Sri Lanka, will feel enthused. It's very important for us. Modi, being the head of the government of the largest democracy itself is a thing we have to respect.

Can you tell us the agenda, places he will be visiting?

Definitely, he will like to visit places impacted. Because that will be like standing with another set of people who have been victims of the disaster. His concerns once again are human concerns of the PM. Then he may speak to various people who have been doing a lot of things for the two countries, in economics, educational, technology and security. And then India being the country that had helped us in the investigation after this attack, we have things to contribute. Sri Lankan government officials will also have issues that can be taken. India is the largest contributor in terms of tourists to Sri Lanka.

Travel advisories were imposed for your country after the April 21 attack. How does it impact you?

Travel advisories have been withdrawn by several countries. India too has relaxed it to some extent. When PM Modi is in Sri Lanka, if he decides to relax it, that will the best gift the Indian government and PM Modi can give to Sri Lanka at present.

How are both countries cooperating on terror front?

I think India has a huge intelligence gathering system, the technology and experience and the access to various sources which probably we may not have. Ahead of this particular disaster, India shared intelligence with our people, unfortunately, there has been some problem. This is not a thing that is happening in isolation in India or in Sri Lanka. International terrorist movements and these issues are connected to this. Therefore, rather than trying to sort out issues and problems as individual countries, if we can do this as joint exercise, that will bring better results. Also, India and Sri Lanka can look at other countries also, internationally like the US, UK, Japan or Australia, we can work with them also. We have to coordinate efforts.

India's role in connectivity provider and ways to fight common challenges?

Best and easiest example is BIMSTEC. We had SAARC, we are having SAARC still, now there is BIMSTEC that has covered a larger geographical area. Then it has started working. Security, growth, poverty reduction are issues that are problems for everyone in the area. India has taken initiative with BIMSTEC, so the grouping can be used by India and other countries.