India, April 3 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for a four-day visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka to participate in the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok and to bolster relations with the two countries.

Modi departed hours after US President Donald Trump slapped what he said were 26% "discounted reciprocal tariffs" on Indian exports to the US, and a formal Indian response is expected from the commerce ministry, people familiar with the matter said.

The Thailand leg of the visit will be watched closely for a possible encounter or meeting between Modi and Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus. People familiar with planning for the trip had earlier said a formal meeting is unlikely, but the Bangladesh side has made a stro...