Indian High Commissioner calls on President Rajapaksa

 President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accepts a token from Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay during a courtesy call by the latter yesterday 

• Indian investment and promotion of bilateral engagement were discussed at the meeting

Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay paid a courtesy call on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, the High Commission said in a statement. He conveyed the greetings of the leadership of India to the President and the people of Sri Lanka. 

The High Commissioner expressed his gratitude to the President for accepting the credentials in an innovative manner via video conference. President Rajapaksa fondly recalled his first State Visit to India in November 2019, the first overseas visit by him after assuming the office. 

He thanked the Government of India for assisting Sri Lanka in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and stated that he looks forward to further strengthening all-round bilateral cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner also noted that the recent high level interaction between the two countries had given a further impetus to the traditionally close and excellent relationship.

Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s solidarity visit to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the dastardly Easter Sunday attack, High Commissioner noted the commitment of India at the highest level, as Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbour, to deepening its partnership with Sri Lanka for peace, prosperity and security of the two peoples. 

Building on the areas identified as mutual priorities in the telecon between President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 23 May, it was agreed to accelerate India’s participation in Sri Lanka’s post COVID-19 economic recovery, including through development partnership projects in Sri Lanka and cooperation in trade, commerce and new areas with particular reference to Sri Lanka’s requirements. 

Pointing out the contribution of Indian investments in Sri Lanka’s economy, High Commissioner noted that Indian companies are ready to invest in the priority sectors identified by Government of Sri Lanka.

The President and the High Commissioner also discussed ways to further expand and strengthen the ongoing close cooperation in the fields of defence and security including exchange of experience, expertise and information and joint efforts to tackle common threats such as terrorism. President Rajapaksa and the High Commissioner further noted that the shared heritage of Buddhism and the civilizational links between India and Sri Lanka provide a robust platform for bringing the two peoples even closer. The High Commissioner also thanked the President for Government of Sri Lanka’s assistance in repatriation of stranded Indian nationals from Sri Lanka to India.