<span style="color: #222222;">India has said that its relations with Sri Lanka are independent of relations with third countries.<br />'' <br />'' Briefing media in New Delhi this evening, External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Raveesh Kumar said India's multi-faceted relationship with Sri Lanka stands on its own footing and is rooted in geographical proximity and historical connections.<br />'' <br />'' He said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Colombo as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister a few days ago to convey Prime Minister's greetings to the newly elected President of Sri Lanka.<br />'' <br />'' Mr Jaishankar delivered Mr Modi's Letter of Congratulations and extended an invitation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit India.<br />'' <br />'' The Sri Lankan President has accepted the invitation and will be on a state visit to India on 29th and 30th of this month.  <br />'' <br />'' During his meeting with President Rajapaksa, the External Affairs Minister discussed India's close and bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, including ways to further strengthen this in coming years.<br />'' <br />'' He conveyed to President Rajapaksa India's expectation that the Sri Lankan Government will take forward the process of national reconciliation to arrive at a solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace and dignity.<br />'' <br />'' The Spokesman said, President Rajapaksa has affirmed in his statement after winning the elections that he will be the President of all Sri Lankans irrespective of their racial or religious identity and without creating a distinction on whether they voted for him or not.<br />''<br />''The Sri Lankan President also stated that he is committed to ensuring the development of the Northern and Eastern provinces and considers India a valued partner towards this endeavour.</span>