Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled stop in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday and visited one of the churches hit during the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Paying homage to the victims of the dastardly attacks, PM Modi said, "I am confident Sri Lanka will rise again. Cowardly acts of terror cannot defeat the spirit of Sri Lanka. India stands in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka." PM Modi is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka after the terror attacks in April. President Maithripala Sirisena held an umbrella to provide cover to himself and PM Modi from rain.

Beginning his second term with tour of two significant countries in the Indian Ocean – Maldives and Sri Lanka – PM Modi has indicated the premium he has put on countering the increasing sway of China in the region.

The visit falls in line with PM Modi's 'Neighbourhood First' policy. Maldives presented PM Modi with its highest honour "Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen" at the Maldivian Parliament. It may be mentioned here that Maldives had a rather 'reserved' and 'cold' approach towards India in the past. (DNA India)