'India, Sri Lanka committed to take civil nuclear cooperation forward': MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said India and Sri Lanka are committed to take their ongoing discussions on civil nuclear cooperation forward.

"We are grateful and delighted that new the new President of Sri Lanka has chosen very kindly to accept the invitation of our leadership to visit India early in his tenure. You are aware that there have been discussions between India and Sri Lanka on matters of civil nuclear cooperation and we both are committed to take this forward," MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told ANI.

"We expect as closely and friendly neighbours to discuss all aspects of our relationship. These include matters of economic and commercial nature, unique to India and Sri Lanka in terms of development partnership and other issues of interest to both the countries," he added.

Elaborating on expected talks between the two nations he said, "When India and Sri Lanka talk, we talk on all issues. There are issues of political and strategical nature that we are engaged in."

This is President Sirisena's first overseas visit after assuming office.

"This is the first opportunity for the new leadership in Sri Lanka to engage with our leadership. So, we expect this opportunity to yield results in terms of clear directions in our bilateral ties as well as how India and Sri Lanka view taking this relationship forward," he said.

He further said that the discussion is going to be very broadways.

"It will include all elements, including issues relating to re-conciliation, the vision of Sri Lankan government in this, as well as our approach to this. So, be ready for substantive talks and concrete outcomes which befit the close and friendly ties between India and Sri Lanka. We expect this visit to yield results in terms of clear direction in bilateral ties and how to take bilateral relations forward," he added.

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena who is on a four-day official trip to India visited Raj Ghat earlier in the day to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the final resting place of the Father of the Nation.

President Sirisena will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, besides meeting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The meeting with Prime Minister Modi will be structured both in terms of a restricted format as well as delegation level talks.

On Tuesday, the Lankan President will travel to Bodh Gaya and later to Tirupati. The President is expected to depart from Tirupati for Colombo early on Wednesday.