AGENCIES / NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds bilateral meetings with visiting leaders of BIMSTEC countries and Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

In the first of a series of bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, Prime Minister had a warm meeting with President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, the two leaders discussed bilateral issues of interest.

President Sirisena reiterated his desire to work together to strengthen relations between the two countries for peace, prosperity and security in the region.

Mr Modi conveyed his government’s continued commitment to further foster friendly bilateral ties with Sri Lanka. The leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity and committed to closer bilateral cooperation for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region.

Prime Minister Modi also met Mauritius Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. The two leaders exchanged views on a range of bilateral issues, including development cooperation. Prime Minister Modi reiterated his commitment to further strengthening the fraternal and enduring bilateral ties between the two countries in all spheres. Both leaders agreed to work together to achieve the shared vision of security and growth of the two countries and the Indian Ocean region.

Mr Modi also held bilateral meetings with Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, and Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with President of Kyrgyz Republic, Sooronbay Jeenbekov at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

This was his first engagement after being sworn in as Prime Minister for the second term. President Jeenbekov congratulated Prime Minister Modi and invited him to visit Kyrgyzstan for the SCO Summit and a bilateral visit during 13-15 June.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held bilateral meeting with President of Bangladesh Md. Abdul Hamid and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.