India’s National Security Advisor calls on President Rajapaksa

Wednesday, 3 December 2014 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the president’s house in Colombo.

This was Doval’s first visit to Sri Lanka as National Security Adviser. Doval, who attended the Galle Dialogue 2014, congratulated Sri Lanka on hosting the conference and for the international recognition it has garnered since it started only four years ago. The inaugural Galle Dialogue in 2010 was held with the participation of about a dozen countries. This year, it has attracted representation from more than 60 countries around the world. Discussing bilateral relations, Doval expressed much satisfaction on the quality and range of relations between Sri Lanka and India. President Rajapaksa and Doval also discussed ways in which to further strengthen these ties. Delivering the keynote address at the event in Galle on 1 December, the National Security Adviser stressed the importance of cooperation amongst countries in the region in tackling common maritime security challenges such as terrorism, piracy, drug smuggling and human trafficking. During his visit, the National Security Adviser also held bilateral meetings with External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and Secretary, Defence and Urban Development, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on 1 December. Representatives of various political parties also met the National Security Adviser. The High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Y.K. Sinha and several other senior officials accompanied Doval - Pic by Chandana Perera