Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will leave for India today on his first foreign trip after assuming charge during which he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss key issues including peace, and reconciliation process in his country.
The 63-year-old leader, who will arrive in New Delhi today, will hold talks with the Indian leadership on February 16 and will travel to the Buddhist pilgrimage site Bodh Gaya and a temple in Tirupati on February 17. The Sri Lankan President will return on February 18.
Briefing the media on the Presidential visit, the Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi had said both the countries were looking at "substantive talks" in terms of announcement of agreements and frameworks.
India has been hoping that the new government will develop Sri Lanka on the "foundation of genuine and effective reconciliation" creating harmony between all sections there.
He will also meet President Pranab Mukherjee, who will host a banquet in his honour.
During Mr Samaraweera's visit, the two countries agreed to re-engage on repatriation of refugees from India as both sides held substantive talks on crucial matters including the political reconciliation process and the continuing fishermen issue.
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