Picture : Twitter / ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rajapaksa held talks covering the entire expanse of bilateral ties. Speaking after the meeting, PM Modi said, “It is matter of honour that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to visit India after assuming charge of the country.”
He said that a stable Sri Lanka was interest of India and the entire Indian Ocean Region.
Commenting on the talks, Modi said, “We held very fruitful talks. I assured Sri Lankan president of India’s help in overall development of the country.”
He announced a line of credit of $ 400 million to boost the island nation’s development. He also announced $ 50 million line of credit to Sri Lanka to deal with security related issues. “We deliberated on dealing with challenge of terrorism,” Modi said.
Talking about the Tamils in the nation, Modi said that he was confident President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government would fulfil aspirations of the community.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said he would strive to take his country’s bilateral relationship with India to a “very high level”.
Speaking to reporters after a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, he said that both India and Sri Lanka need to work together on issues relating to security and overall welfare of the people of the two countries.
Delhi: President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa upon his arrival at Rashtrapati Bhawan was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/97XPlWtcUQ
— ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2019
Rajapaksa arrived here on Thursday on a three-day visit, in his first overseas tour after taking over the reins of Sri Lanka 10 days back in reflection of importance he attaches to ties with India.
The Sri Lankan leader said his expectations from the visit was very high. “During my tenure as president, I want to bring the relationship between India and Sri Lanka to a very high level. We have a long-standing relationship historically as well as politically,” Rajapaksa said. Both the countries need to work together on key issues like security, economic development and welfare of the people of India and Sri Lanka, he said.
