India, Lanka expected discuss trade, defence during Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit

India and Sri Lanka are expected to discuss tre, defence and maritime security initiatives and finalise implementation nda for a USD 450 million lines of credit offered by New Delhi during Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's first overseas visit from February 7-11, according to a media report.

During visit, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will have high-level bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and or senior government officials, Daily Financial Times said, citing a statement from Prime Minister's Office.

scheduled meetings will build on strong relationship that alrey exists between two countries and include discussions on politics, tre, development, defence, culture and tourism, among ors, statement ded.

With aim of enhancing engment in sub-regional maritime security cooperation, two delegations are expected to discuss key areas under defence and maritime security initiatives that include Sri Lanka-India Annual Defence Dialogue and Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation with India and Maldives.

" two countries are expected to finalise implementation nda during this forthcoming visit of Prime Minister (Mahinda) Rajapaksa,” statement said.

bulk of line of credit, USD 400 million, will be for infrastructure projects while remaining USD 50 million will be given as a grant for Sri Lanka to fund security needs including resources needed to fight terrorism, report said.

line of credit was anunced by Indian Prime Minister Modi during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's state visit to India in vember shortly after his victory in presidential election, it said. It was Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s first state visit.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is visiting India from February 7-11 on his counterpart's invitation.

This visit will be first overseas visit by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa after assuming office in vember 2019.

In dition to that, follow-up discussions on Indian assistance to enhance training opportunities for Sri Lanka are expected in fields of vocational training and in area of public services.

In light of deep historical, cultural and religious relations, two sides will also pay attention to strengning people-to-people contacts by expanding aviation links to sacred Buddhist sites in India, including ‘Sanchi Buddhist Complex’ in Mhya Presh.

Following his high-level engments, Prime Minister Rajapaksa is scheduled to visit several historic religious sites including, Varanasi, Sarnath, Bodhgaya and Tirupati.