New Delhi: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday extended gratitude to India for supporting the world amid coronavirus pandemic.
“I am grateful to India for providing support to people around the world during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sri Lankan PM.
“This is my first summit after becoming the Prime Minister,” he added.
Highlighting on the recent rescue operation conducted by the Indian Navy, he said, ” The operation to douse off the fire on MT New Diamond ship provided an opportunity for greater cooperation between the two countries.”
Before Rajapaksa’s address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that special priority has been given always to
Sri Lanka under its Neighbourhood First Policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) doctrine.
“The relations between India and Sri Lanka are thousands of years old. According to my government’s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR doctrine, we give special priority to relations between the two countries,” said PM Modi.