Sri Lanka Prez Rajapaksa meets Doval, discusses issues of mutual interest

Soon after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa landed in India on Thursday, he held a meeting with National Security visor Ajit Doval and discussed issues of respective national interests and bilateral cooperation. On second day, President Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderab House on Friday. Sri Lankan President, who arrived here with a high-level delegation on Thursday, will later call on President Kovind.

'Work toger'

Earlier in day, he paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. In his first comment to media after landing in national capital, newly elected Sri Lanka president said that Colombo and New Delhi need to "work toger" for ecomic development and security of ir people.

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Talking to media Rajapaksa said, "It is my first overseas visit after assuming duties as a president of Sri Lanka. I want to express my gratitude to India government to President and Prime Minister."

"My expectations are very high. I want to take relationship between Sri Lanka and India to a higher level. We have of course long-standing friendship--historically culturally and politically. We need to work toger for ecomic development and security of our people," he ded.

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Upon his arrival at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajapaksa was received by President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Rajapaksa was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday morning. newly-elected President is on a three-day visit to India.

Earlier in day, Rajapaksa met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. He is slated to attend a programme in city on Saturday. Later in evening, Rajapaksa will emplane for Sri Lanka.

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