India expects Gotabaya to pursue reconciliation

India has expressed the hope that Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will pursue national reconciliation in a meaningful manner. 

“Indian external affairs min conveyed (to Sri Lankan Prez @gotabayaR) about India’s expectations that SL govt will take forward the process of natnl reconciliation to arrive at a solution that meets aspirations of Tamil population for equality, justice, peace & dignity,” tweeted Devirupa Mitra, the Deputy Editor and Diplomatic Correspondent of The Wire, India’s foremost independent news-site, carrying critical opinion, investigations and reportage

.The Indian Ministry of External Affairs comments were its weekly media briefing on External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Mitra also tweeted that “The new Sri Lankan president also stated that he was committed to the development of northern and eastern provinces and considers India a valued partner in this endeavor.”

Accepting an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will visit India on 29 November, his first overseas visit since assuming office on Monday. 

India’s foreign minister became the first foreign dignitary to call on Rajapaksa following the latter’s election as President.