“Hoppers Or Appam, The Taste Is The Same” PM Modi Uses Food To Draw Similarities Between India & Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a 3-day visit to Sri Lanka, attended a lavish state banquet hosted by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his honour. While addressing the dignitaries, PM Modi drew parallels between the two nations, underscoring their cultural similarities. Using food as an inference, the Prime Minister stated that if Sri Lanka has hoppers, India has appams and they taste similar.

PM Modi Mentions Appam & Idiyappam During Speech In Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the cultural bond between India and Sri Lanka. He summed this up with 3 Cs—Curry, cuisine and cricket. Drawing smiles from the crowd and the dignitaries, he stated that their people share the same passion for cricket, cuisine and curry. Whether it’s hoppers or appam, string hoppers or idiyappam, at the core, the taste is the same, said PM Modi.

Deeply grateful to President Dissanayake, the people and Government of Sri Lanka for the warmth extended during my visit.

Be it in Colombo or Anuradhapura, this visit has reaffirmed the deep cultural, spiritual and civilisational ties between our two nations. It will surely add… pic.twitter.com/12HLT4m5wl

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2025

Hoppers are coconut-laced rice flour pancakes from Sri Lanka, they are topped with sweet-spicy sambal or fruit chutney. String hoppers are rice-flour noodles known for their light, thin texture. This dish is enjoyed with sweetened coconut milk or spicy curry.

In South India, especially in Kerala, appam, equivalent to a hopper, is relished with stew made of coconut milk. Idiyappam or steamed rice flour noodles is enjoyed with savoury non-vegetarian or vegetarian gravies typically made with coconut milk.

Also Read: Chef Aruna Vijay’s Instant Appams Are Perfect For Busy Mornings; Recipe Inside | Curly Tales

Emphasises Spiritual & Cultural Connections Between Two Nations

While praising the island nation’s beauty, the Prime Minister stated that he always feels elated whenever he visits Sri Lanka. The warm welcome he receives from locals overwhelms him. He called Sri Lanka the “precious pearl of the Indian Ocean.” Moreover, he described the two neighbouring nations as “civilizational twins.” He drew upon their shared deep-rooted historical connections and geography.

தொடர்புகளை மேம்படுத்தல் மற்றும் நட்புறவை வலுவாக்கல்!

அநுராதபுரத்தில், மாஹோ-ஓமந்தை இடையேயான தரமுயர்த்தப்பட்ட புகையிரதப் பாதையினை ஜனாதிபதி அநுர குமார திசாநாயக்க அவர்களும் நானும் கூட்டாக அங்குரார்ப்பணம் செய்துவைத்தோம். அதேபோல மாஹோ முதல் அனுராதபுரம் வரையிலான தொகுதிக்குரிய நவீன… pic.twitter.com/Uk2TSHXN2E

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 6, 2025

His speech also highlighted the symbolic significance of the shared sacred sites of the two nations. He mentioned Bodh Gaya, Rameshwaram, Thirukoneswaram and Anuradhapura, Buddhist and Ramayana-linked spiritual sites that reflected their cultural ties.

Also Read: Gary Mehigan Shares Video Of Tamil Nadu Street Vendor Making Idiyappam; Can’t Have Enough Of It

Now that you’ve heard of appam and hoppers, would you like to try these Indian and Sri Lankan renditions? Moreover, would you plan a trip to the new nations to visit the sites iconic for their Ramayana linkage?

Cover Image Courtesy: @narendramodi/ X and Canva Pro