Colombo, Sept 10:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to the security, peace and prosperity of the region.
Singh, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday for a three-day visit, conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modiās greetings to Dissanayake and congratulated him on the completion of two years of his government. The visit is the first by an Indian Defence Minister to Sri Lanka in 38 years.
Describing the meeting as warm and productive, Singh said India and Sri Lanka, as ācivilisational twins, close neighbours and maritime partnersā, would continue to work together for the development of both countries and the welfare of their people.
The two countries also agreed on the need to work jointly to ensure the safety, security, peace and prosperity of the region. The discussions assume significance amid growing strategic and maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean region.
Singh had earlier met members of the Indian diaspora in Sri Lanka and said India would always stand firmly with Sri Lanka whenever the island nation faced a crisis. He underlined the close relationship between the two countries based on shared history, culture and faith.
The Defence Minister is leading a high-level delegation comprising senior officials from the Defence and External Affairs ministries. His visit is aimed at further consolidating defence and security cooperation between the two neighbours.
India and Sri Lanka have also been strengthening cooperation in the maritime domain, particularly in view of their strategic location in the Indian Ocean. The latest talks are expected to give further momentum to bilateral defence engagement and regional security cooperation.