Stepping up development cooperation between India and Sri Lanka will be high on the agenda of talks between visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Indian host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indian officials said on Thursday.

Wickremsinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening and is scheduled to have discussions with Modi on Saturday. 

The visit comes against the backdrop of controversial media reports quoting Sirisena as accusing Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analyses Wing (RAW), of plotting his assassination, something that was later rejected as “false” by Colombo.

Wickremesinghe’s visit comes after Sri Lanka reversed a decision to award a $300-million housing deal to China in favour of a joint venture with an Indian company. 

“You are aware of close friendship between India and Sri Lanka. Development cooperation will be one of the agenda items,” India’s External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing.

He further said, “All shades of political opinion in Sri Lanka are for close relationship with India. We do enjoy very strong bonds of friendship.” 

The two sides are also likely to review the status of the India-assisted housing projects in Jaffna during Wickremesinghe’s visit. They are also likely to deliberate on the Tamil issue -- the reconciliation process and devolution of powers in Tamil-dominated areas.

Sources said both sides are expected to discuss modalities of India taking charge of operating Sri Lanka’s loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in Hambantota.

The USD 210 million facility, 241 km south-east of Colombo, is dubbed the “world’s emptiest airport” due to a lack of flights.

India is likely to operate the airport under a joint venture with the island nation. 

The sources said the two sides are also likely to discuss ways to deepen maritime security cooperation.

During the visit, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will also call on Wickremesinghe.

-Agencies