World

Indian Prime Minister Modi holding talks with Sri Lanka's newly elected president

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wave during a photo opportunity in New Delhi, India, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. Sri Lanka's new leader is underlining India's importance as a regional ally by making it his first official foreign destination as president, following years of uneasy relations with New Delhi and international pressure to speed up post-civil war reconciliation efforts at home. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das) (The Associated Press)

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, left, shakes hands with Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, second right, as his wife Jayanthi Sirisena, second left, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi watch during a ceremonial reception at the Indian presidential palace in New Delhi, India, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. Sri Lanka's new leader is underlining India's importance as a regional ally by making it his first official foreign destination as president, following years of uneasy relations with New Delhi and international pressure to speed up post-civil war reconciliation efforts at home. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (The Associated Press)

Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, center in white, walks on the red carpet with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, center wearing spectacles, after inspecting a guard of honor during a ceremonial reception at the Indian Presidential Palace in New Delhi, India, Monday, Feb. 16, 2015. Sri Lanka's new leader is underlining India's importance as a regional ally by making it his first official foreign destination as president, following years of uneasy relations with New Delhi and international pressure to speed up post-civil war reconciliation efforts at home. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) (The Associated Press)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is talking with Sri Lanka's newly elected president as the South Asia neighbors seek to strengthen strategic ties, increase trade and resolve long-standing issues between them.

Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena was meeting with Indian officials Monday after arriving on his first foreign visit since winning the election last month.

Indian officials said New Delhi would discuss ways to speed up reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka since the end of a civil war in the island nation in 2009.

India and Sri Lanka were also likely to sign a civil nuclear agreement as part of New Delhi's efforts to assure Colombo on the safety of its nuclear power plants in the southern state of Tamil Nadu that borders Sri Lanka.