Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi to discuss bilateral relations today, as part of his first foreign visit since assuming office last month.
The two met at Hyderabad House in Delhi, after Mr Sirisena met with India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj earlier in the day.
Speaking at a joint press conference Sri Lanka’s president said that the two nations “were able to strengthen” their friendship and sign agreements “ on several subjects.”
The Indian Premier, Narendra Modi, tweeted, “India and Sri Lanka are set to grow further."
A series of agreements were signed by the two nations, including a landmark nuclear deal, which will see India help Sri Lanka build its nuclear energy infrastructure the Indian foreign ministry said.
India will also look to play a part in Sri Lanka’s plan to establish 600 MW of nuclear capacity by 2030, reports Reuters.
Other agreements surrounding the themes of cultural cooperation, university relations and agricultural cooperation were also signed, reports The Hindu.
Speaking ahead of the meeting on Monday, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said a range of issues would be discussed, stating, "When India and Sri Lanka talk, we talk on all issues and there are issues of a political and strategic nature that we are engaged in".
Mr Akbaruddin further added,
"It will include all elements, including issues relating to re-conciliation, the vision of Sri Lankan government in this, as well as our approach to this. So, be ready for substantive talks and concrete outcomes which befit the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka. We expect this visit to yield results in terms of clear direction in bilateral ties and how to take bilateral relations forward."“This is the first opportunity for the new leadership in Sri Lanka to engage with our leadership. So, we expect this opportunity to yield results in terms of clear directions in our bilateral ties as well as how India and Sri Lanka view taking this relationship forward.”
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