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Sri Lanka President Sirisena seeks to mend India relations Sri Lanka President Sirisena seeks to mend India relations
(about 5 hours later)
Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena is in India, seeking to mend relations hit by tensions over China's growing influence on Colombo. Sri Lanka's new President Maithripala Sirisena has discussed forging closer ties with India during landmark talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This is Mr Sirisena's first official foreign visit since taking office last month. The two sides signed key agreements on trade and civil nuclear co-operation during Mr Sirisena's first official foreign visit since taking office.
By choosing to visit India first, he is making it clear that ties with Delhi are a top foreign policy priority. By visiting India he is making it clear that ties with Delhi are a priority.
This is in sharp contrast to Mahinda Rajapaksa, his predecessor, who forged closer ties with India's rival China. This is in sharp contrast to his predecessor, who forged closer ties with India's rival China.
During Mr Rajapaksa's rule, China invested billions in loans and infrastructure projects in the island nation and last year, a Chinese warship and two submarines visited Colombo port, much to the dislike of the Indian authorities. During Mahinda Rajapaksa's rule, China invested billions in loans and infrastructure projects in the island nation. Last year, a Chinese warship and two submarines visited Colombo port, much to the dislike of the Indian authorities.
President Sirisena, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday on a four-day visit, is due to hold official talks with Mr Modi on Monday and also attend a banquet hosted by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. Prime Minister Modi described Sri Lanka as India's "closest neighbour and friend" following the talks.
Before returning home on Wednesday, he is due to travel to the Hindu temple in Tirupati in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and visit the Buddhist pilgrimage site Bodh Gaya in Bihar. The two leaders signed four agreements, including one on increasing trade as well as a landmark deal on civilian nuclear co-operation - the first that Sri Lanka has signed with any country.
At his bilateral talks with Mr Modi, he is expected to allay India's fears about Colombo's ties with Beijing.
Tamil issueTamil issue
The two leaders are also likely to discuss Sri Lanka's efforts to establish reconciliation with the ethnic Tamil minority. The two leaders also discussed Sri Lanka's efforts to establish reconciliation with the ethnic Tamil minority.
Sri Lankan Tamils have complained that little has been done to restore trust and national unity after the war with the Tamil rebels ended in 2009. Sri Lankan Tamils have complained that little has been done to restore trust and national unity after the war with Tamil rebels ended in 2009.
India, with its own sizeable Tamil population, has also voiced concerns about the slow pace of reconciliation efforts. The issue resonates in India, which has its own sizeable Tamil population.
"A first visit is always an opportunity to set directions," India's foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told reporters ahead of President Sirisena's arrival. Before returning home on Wednesday, President Sirisena is due to travel to the Hindu temple in Tirupati, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, and also the Buddhist pilgrimage site Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
"We expect substantial talks, we expect outcomes in terms of agreements, in terms of frameworks, and in terms of announcements," he added.