India - Sri Lanka leaders reiterate commitments

Colombo (News 1st): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena, in New Delhi this morning (May 31). During a bilateral meeting, President Sirisena congratulated the Prime Minister on the re-assumption of office following the resounding victory of his party in the recently-held general elections and reiterated his desire to work together to strengthen relations between the two countries for peace, prosperity and security in our region. The press release issued by India's ministry of foreign affairs states that Prime Minister Modi thanked President Sirisena for attending the ceremony and also for his good wishes. He conveyed his government’s continued commitment to further foster friendly bilateral ties with Sri Lanka. The leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose a threat to humanity and committed to closer bilateral cooperation for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. Meanwhile, Indian media reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Sri Lanka, in June this year. It adds that during his first visit overseas in his second term, Narendra Modi will visit the island after visiting the Maldives.