Wickremesinghe visit to India: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Sri Lankan President
Ranil Wickremesinghe two-day visit to India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday for talks during which the two leaders would discuss issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Sri Lanka has a special place in India's neighbourhood first policy and the security interests and development of the two countries are intertwined.
Delegation level talks led by PM @narendramodi and President @RW_UNP get underway.
A wide-ranging agenda on the table covering areas of energy security, economic and financial linkages, defence & security cooperation and people to people ties. pic.twitter.com/x7irs8BPsw — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023
In his remarks to the media after talks with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister said they have agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between the two countries. He said India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis.
Notably, the Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also took to his Twitter handle and wrote,"PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year."
PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks.
An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing ????????-???????? ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. pic.twitter.com/Ee6kikEpjZ — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023
The talks are being held in Hyderabad House in the national capital.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on the Sri Lanka President earlier in the day.
Sri Lanka is an important partner in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit is expected to reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors.
Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.
- ANI
