New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) India and close neighbour Sri Lanka Monday sought to begin a new chapter in their ties as the island nation's newly-elected President Maithripala Sirisena, on his maiden visit abroad since taking over last month, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi here and the two sides inked four agreements, including one on civil nuclear cooperation.
Sirisena, who defeated long-time president Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Jan 8 election, signalled the new closeness in bilateral ties, saying Modi is expected to visit his country in March and that they are "eagerly awaiting the glorious event", which would be "an honour and a blessing" to their country.
Modi's likely visit would be the first bilateral visit by an Indian prime minister to the island nation in over 25 years.
Addressing media after delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House, Modi said the agreement on civil nuclear cooperation was "yet another demonstration of our mutual trust".
He said it is the first such agreement that Sri Lanka has signed and it "opens new avenues for cooperation, including in areas like agriculture and healthcare".
The two sides held talks on the issue of peace and reconciliation process in the island nation over a working lunch. However, in their speeches, none of the two leaders touched on the subject of the 13th Amendment on devolution of powers to the Tamil-majority Northern Province, which India has been gently pressing Colombo on.
Ties between the neighbours had come under strain under the Rajapaksa government, especially on the issue of arrest and incarceration of Indian fisherfolk and over Sri Lanka's increased dalliance with China.
The berthing of a Chinese submarine in Colombo port had caused consternation in India.
Congratulating Sirisena on his election, Modi said: "India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour and friend. The goodwill and support of the people of India will always be with you." Modi had been one of the first leaders to congratulate Sirisena after his victory.
He also assured Sirisena of "India's commitment to its development partnership" which would continue to cover areas, including infrastructure.
Both sides have also agreed to expand their defence and security cooperation, including in maritime security cooperation and in trilateral cooperation with the Maldives, another geo-strategically important Indian Ocean neighbor of India.
The four agreements inked are on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, on cultural cooperation, a MoU on establishment of Nalanda University, and a MoU on cooperation in agriculture.
On the ticklish fishermen's issue, Modi said both leaders "attach the highest importance to the issue" and have agreed for a "constructive and humanitarian approach" to it.
He said that the Indian assisted projects for the Tamil displaced had made excellent progress, including more than 27,000 houses which have been constructed.
On boosting economic cooperation, Modi said in view of India enjoying a huge trade surplus with Sri Lanka, he had voiced his support "for a more balanced growth in trade in both directions" and for promoting "greater flow of Indian investments and tourists into Sri Lanka".
The commerce secretaries of both sides are to meet soon to review bilateral commercial ties.
"We are at a moment of an unprecedented opportunity to take our bilateral relations to a new level. This visit today has set us firmly in that direction," said Modi.
Sirisena said during the talks, both sides came to "several good conclusions to strengthen ties and strengthen the friendship and we were able to strengthen that friendship", which will not only help build stronger bilateral relations "but in international forums India will support us and have more understanding between the two countries; building more relations and strengthening the ties, and we agreed to work on a mutual understanding, and it is very clear."
His statement indicates that Sri Lanka is keen that India support Colombo in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) council session in Geneva in March.
Sirisena also said that both sides have agreed to work closely on issues including trade, energy, defence, security, education and commerce.
He said his first official visit to India has "borne very fruitful results" and helped bring the relationship to "greater height".
"Now we are in the path of progress and this is a remarkable milestone in that process," he said.
Earlier, he was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and later went to lay a wreath at Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. He was also hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee at an official banquet.
United Kisan Morcha meeting postponed: will now be held on November 22; 32 farmer organizations of Punjab will decide what will be the strategy of the movement next
The struggle of the farmers on the border of Delhi will continue for now, but what will be its next strategy, is being considered by the farmers. For this, a meeting was called by farmer organizations
JNU Admission 2022: Application begins for admission to undergraduate courses in JNU, know the complete process
JNU Admission 2022: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has started the registration process for admission to its undergraduate courses for the academic session 2022-23 through Common University
Conflict politics intensified in Bengal: Center and Mamta government once again face to face; What will be Mamta's strategy on the transfer of the Chief Secretary?
The case of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not being included in the review meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to assess the damage caused by Chakravarti storm Yas has been growing. The Prime
Russia India Talk: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to meet S Jaishankar today, all countries will watch
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to meet Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar today. Sergei had reached India yesterday on a two-day visit. His visit comes at a time when there has
Bharat Ratna to Malaviya, Padma Vibhushan to Advani
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) A number of leaders and prominent people from various walks of life were honoured on Monday with the country's high awards by President Pranab Mukherjee at a civil
India started buying less Chinese goods, but sales of Indian goods to China increased, how so?
Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of self-sufficiency for the first time in April and the tensions that began along the border with China since May, bilateral trade has increased for the
Centre pursuing issues of northeast on mission mode: Sitharaman
Aizawl, March 26 (IANS) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said the central government would pursue all matters related to India's northeast region on a "mission
Taliban arrested ISIS 'mastermind' suspected of Afghan mosque blast, has been involved in many terrorist attacks
Kabul: Taliban forces have arrested a suspected ISIS terrorist who planned a bomb attack on a Shia mosque in Afghanistan that killed at least 12 worshipers. Police said on Friday.
Direct tax collection: 24 percent increase in direct tax collection, reaching Rs 8.98 lakh crore
According to the Finance Ministry, there has been an increase of 24 percent in direct tax collection. With this, it has increased to Rs 8.98 lakh crore. These figures are from April 1 to October 8.
Green Fungus: After black, white, and yellow, now the first case of green fungus came in this state of the country
In Indore, the fastest growing city of Madhya Pradesh, many cases of post covid diseases are coming to the fore. These days, more than 500 cases of black fungus have come in the government and private