Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe prior to a meeting in New Delhi, October 20, 2018. (Photo: VCG )

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral talks on a wide range of issues including trade, investment and maritime security. The two leaders also reviewed the status of the India-assisted housing projects in Jaffna and discussed the Tamil issue. 

The two leaders held talks at the Hyderabad House in Delhi on the final day of the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's three-day India visit. 

"Special place in our hearts for Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes the Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. At the delegation level talks, the leaders took stock of the entire range of our bilateral relations, specially the development projects in Sri Lanka," tweeted spokesman of Indian Foreign Ministry, Raveesh Kumar. 

Wickremesinghe also held talks with Home Minister Rajnath Singh. They discussed issues related to security and anti-terror cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. 

Singh termed his meeting with the Sri Lankan prime minister as fruitful. "Had a fruitful meeting with the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi today. We had deliberations on further strengthening cooperation between India and Sri Lanka on issues pertaining to security and terrorism in the region," he tweeted. 

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj also called upon Wickremesinghe. "Continuing commitment to deepen our partnership with a close friend. External Affairs Minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj called on Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Exchanged views on strengthening bilateral relations and reviewed progress on development projects," Kumar tweeted. 

"Both the prime ministers discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and ways to further deepen the historically close and friendly relations between the two countries. The leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues," a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said. 

The Sri Lankan prime minister arrived in India on Thursday and the next day he met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. After the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said India and Sri Lanka have "historical and cultural ties."