Leaders and parliamentarians from India’s neighbouring countries highlighted strong diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with New Delhi during a panel discussion on Day 1 of the NXT Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam on Thursday, emphasising India’s growing role as a regional partner and stabilising force.
Representatives from Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Nepal, Laos and Maldives discussed how their countries view India’s diplomacy, economic engagement and regional cooperation amid an evolving global geopolitical landscape.
A Sri Lankan representative said India remains the largest source of tourists to the island nation, with around 600,000–700,000 Indian visitors travelling there annually. He noted that Indian tourism and film shoots in Sri Lanka have significantly supported the country’s tourism sector, which has recently faced challenges due to conflicts in West Asia.
