Congratulations pour in for new PM

• India upbeat on fraternal ties
• Chinese Ambassador first to visit MR after becoming PM 
• Imran Khan calls for deepening relations 
• Nepal wishes MR success 

India, China, Pakistan and Nepal yesterday congratulated Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa on becoming the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. 

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi yesterday congratulated Prime Minister Rajapaksa via his official twitter handle. 

“Congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. I look forward to working closely with him for further strengthening fraternal India-Sri Lanka ties.” he said. 

“Thank you Prime Minister @narendramodi. Let us continue to promote our shared partnership for peace and prosperity for both our countries and the region.” Rajapaksha replied.  On Tuesday, Modi had dispatched the Indian external affairs minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to meet the newly-appointed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Jaishankar also met Mahinda Rajapaksa during the brief visit where he invited the new President to visit New Delhi. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan called on then-Opposition Leader Rajapaksa on Wednesday to congratulate him on the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) electoral win in the Presidential Elections held last week, Rajapaksa tweeted.      

Pakistani Prime minister Imran Khan also took to twitter to send well wishes to Prime Minister Rajapaksa. “Heartiest congratulations @PresRajapaksa on your being appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. I am looking forward to working closely with you & your Govt to further develop our historical friendship & partnership & find avenues for deepening cooperation between the two nations.” he stated. 

Having thanked Prime Minister Khan for his wishes, Rajapaksha expressed desire to work with the Pakistani Government and him to better relations between both nations. Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli, sending a congratulatory message, tweeted, “I warmly congratulate Your Excellency @PresRajapaksa on your election as Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. I look forward to working closely with you in further strengthening traditionally warm and cordial Nepal-Sri Lanka ties. I wish you a successful tenure of office.”

“Thank you Prime Minister @PM_Nepal for your wishes. I look forward to working with you to further strengthening the ties between both our   nations.” Premier  Rajapaksa  replied.