President Maithripala Sirisena and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are currently participating in a bilateral discussion on the sidelines of the the BIMSTEC Summit in Nepal.

The Prime Minister of India said that he deeply appreciates the commitment made by the President Sirisena to achieve reconciliation and sustainable peace while ensuring democracy and freedom in Sri Lanka.

These remarks were made when President Maithripala Sirisena, who is in Nepal to attend the 4th Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), met with Indian Prime Minister in Kathmandu, today (30).

During this cordial discussion with the President, the Indian Prime Minister extended birthday wishes to the President as his birthday falls on September 03rd, the PMD said.

At the conclusion of the summit, the Chairmanship of BIMSTEC will be handed over to Sri Lanka by the current Chair, Nepal. Expressing his views regarding this the Indian Prime Minister said that India is ready to provide their fullest assistance for any task assigned to them by President Maithripala Sirisena as the new Chairperson of the BIMSTEC.

Prime Minister Modi said that the BIMSTEC will become a stronger organization under the leadership of President Sirisena, who is leader rich with experiences. The Indian Premier further said that through this new leadership BIMSTEC will receive an opportunity to achieve its objectives and goals.

The Indian PM is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina later today.

Both leaders will also attend a banquet and cultural programme hosted by the Prime Minister of Nepal K.P.Sharma Oli in the honour of BIMSTEC leaders.

The BIMSTEC is a regional grouping comprising Bangladesh, India, Myanmar,  Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. The grouping accounts for 22 per cent of the global population.