National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval met and discusse dissues of national interest and bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The meeting took place on Thursday after Doval called on Rajapaksa soon after the latter's arrival in India.

On the second day, President Rajapaksa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House on Friday. After talks, both leaders will issue a joint statement. The Sri Lankan President, who arrived with a high-level delegation, will later call on President Ram Nath Kovind.

Earlier in the day, he paid tribute to Father of the Nation,Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat. In his first comment to media after landing in thenational capital, the newly elected Sri Lanka president said that Colombo andNew Delhi need to "work together" for economic development andsecurity of their people.

"It is my first overseas visit after assuming duties asa president of Sri Lanka. I want to express my gratitude to the Indiagovernment to the President and the Prime Minister," Rajapaksa said."My expectations are very high. As my tenure as the president. I want totake the relationship between Sri Lanka and India to a higher level. We have ofcourse long-standing friendship--historically culturally and politically. Weneed to work together for economic development and security of ourpeople," he added

Upon his arrival at Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajapaksa wasreceived by President Kovind and PM Modi and was accorded a ceremonialreception at Rashtrapati Bhawan. He also met External Affairs Minister (EAM) SJaishankar. He is slated to attend a programme in the city on Saturday. Laterin the evening, Rajapaksa will emplane for Sri Lanka.