Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a telephone call to President Maithripala Sirisena, has said that he looks forward to the latter’s visit to India from February 15-18.

In his first foreign visit after assuming charge, the Sri Lankan President will arrive in India on February 15 on a four-day visit during which he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discuss key issues including peace and reconciliation process in the country.

All bilateral matters including economy, peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka apart from the perennial issues are expected to be discussed during the meeting between the two leaders.

Modi is scheduled to make a reciprocal trip in the second week of March, according to Sri Lankan government officials.

“He stated further that the official visit of the new President will make the relationship between two countries strong,” President’s Media Unit said.

“Indian Prime Minister did not forget to wish the Sri Lankan cricket team for the forth coming world cup match to win the world cup, as 1996. President Maithripala Sirisena also wished the Indian cricket team.”

With the ICC 2015 Cricket World Cup starting from Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called and wished the leaders of all SAARC nations who are participating in the mega event.

SAARC nations Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are participating in the World Cup alongside defending champions India.

Modi stated that the sport connects people in the South Asian region and promotes goodwill.

He hoped players from SAARC nations will play with passion and bring laurels to the region. PM Modi expressed his views on micro-blogging website, Twitter.

He further stated that these five SAARC nations are excited about the World Cup. And that he is sure the event will celebrate sportsman spirit and also will be a treat for sports lovers alike.

The PM further said that he has spoken to all his counterparts of other four SAARC nations and wished them all the best.

“Spoke to President @ashrafghani, PM Sheikh Hasina, PM Nawaz Sharif & President Sirisena. Conveyed my best wishes for the Cricket World Cup.”

“5 SAARC Nations are playing & are excited about the World Cup. Am sure WC will celebrate sportsman spirit & will be a treat for sports lovers.”

“Cricket connects people in our region & promotes goodwill. Hope players from SAARC region play with passion & bring laurels to the region.”

“Would be sending our new Foreign Secretary on a SAARC Yatra soon to further strengthen our ties,” he wrote on Twitter.

On Thursday, PM Modi had wished each player of the Indian squad individually through Twitter.