Indian Defence Secretary meets President [October 10 2014]

Indian Defence Secretary Shri R.K. Mathur called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Kandy this morning. President’s Media Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said they discussed bilateral defence ties and related issues.

Radha Krishna Mathur arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday to pursue the 2nd round of the Sri Lanka-India Annual Defence Dialogue (ADD). He also accompanied a four-member delegation which comprises of Joint Secretary, Shri Ram Suhag Singhe, Joint Secretary, Smt Suchitra Durai, Rear Admiral, R.B Pandit, Indian Navy and Major General Rustam Patnaik, Indian Army.

Major General Prasad Samarasinghe, Chief of Staff of the Army, welcomed the delegation on arrival at the Katunayake airport.

The itinerary of the first day began with the courtesy call on his Sri Lanka’s counterpart, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary Defence and Urban Development at the Ministry of Defence, who also has been the host.

Mutual exchange of views and matters of bilateral importance touched the brief and formal meeting before both of them, exchanged mementos, symbolizing sound relations that prevail between two nations in a spirit of brotherhood, goodwill and understanding.

The 2nd Sri Lanka-India Annual Defence Dialogue afterwards, commenced at the MoD main conference hall with both Mr. Mathur and Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, representing Sri Lanka’s interests, presiding at the head table.

The regional security situation and issues of maritime security were also discussed at the meeting. The inaugural Annual Defence Dialogue was held at New Delhi on 31 January 2012.