PM Narendra Modi returns home after 3-nation tour

New Delhi, Mar 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 14 returned home after wrapping up his five-day three- nation tour.

On the last day of his three-nation tour that took him to Seychelles, Mauritius and then Sri Lanka, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna.

The special Air India plane carrying the Prime Minister and his delegation from Colombo landed here at 30 minutes past midnight.

The Prime Minister, who is also the second international leader to visit the once strife-torn region after Premier David Cameron in 2013, handed over 27,000 new homes to Tamils who became homeless during the civil war.

During his Sri Lanka visit, the first by an Indian Premier in over 25 years, Modi reached out to the country, saying the security of the two nations is "indivisible" and favoured a life of equality, justice and dignity for Tamils in its "new journey" of peace and reconciliation.

He also addressed the Sri Lankan Parliament and held talks with top Lankan leadership, including President Maithripala Sirisena, during his visit.

Modi had started his trip on Tuesday when he reached Seychelles and held talks there, signing four agreements. He then went to Mauritius where he met the leadership of the strategic Indian Ocean island.

India and Mauritius signed five pacts during Modi's visit. The Prime Minister also addressed the country's National Assembly and attended a public reception.

Modi's final destination was Sri Lanka and during his trip to the island, Modi visited Colombo, Sri Lanka's ancient capital Anuradhapura, Talaimannar and Jaffna.

PTI