Modi says Rajapaksa visit to strengthen bonds with Lanka

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the visit of new Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will help strengthen the bonds between the two countries and energise the partnership.

"Happy to receive @GotabayaR on his first overseas visit as the President of Sri Lanka. His visit is a testimony to the time-tested ties between India and Sri Lanka and will help strengthen our bonds as well as energise our partnership," Modi said in a tweet.

Modi and Rajapaksa held bilateral discussions. "A new chapter in our 2,500-year-old intertwined history. PM @narendramodi welcomed President @GotabayaR ahead of their talks. President @GotabayaR is on his maiden visit to India in his capacity as President of Sri Lanka," a Minitry of External Aaffairs spokesperson tweeted.

Newly-elected Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa is on his first visit abroad in India. He was given a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhawan were President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi were present to receive him.

After the reception the visiting President said that during his tenure he will ensure strengthening of bilateral ties with India.

Rajapaksa arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called on him earlier on Friday.