Here is a look at the significance of Rajapaksa's visit to India —

The visit

This is Rajapaksa's first overseas trip since he took over as the island nation's president.

Rajapaksa is accompanied by a high-level delegation which includes foreign secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and treasury secretary SR Attygalle.

While in Delhi, Rajapaksa was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan and paid a visit to Rajghat, held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House. Later in the day, he is scheduled to meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar and President Ram Nath Kovind.

China's influence in the island nation

The visit assumes significance owing to the growing influence of China in the island nation in the last few years.

The two-day visit, though, is not just symbolic and could well set the tone of India-Sri Lanka relations — and there are concerns on that front, as Gotabaya's brother Mahinda Rajapaksa , now the prime minister of the country, had steered Sri Lanka in the direction of China during the latter half of his Presidency between 2005 and 2015.

, now the prime minister of the country, had steered Sri Lanka in the direction of China during the latter half of his Presidency between 2005 and 2015. Sri Lanka has so far positively reciprocated India's gesture of partnership and stressed that India remains "our relative" even as China is its "trade partner".

That being said, Sri Lanka cannot wish away China. By the end of 2017, 10% of its net debt was owed to China.

After the results of the Sri Lankan elections, Modi had congratulated Rajapaksa over the telephone on his electoral victory.

Narendra Modi had invited Rajapaksa during his congratulatory call after the election in Sri Lanka.

India has been quick to try and build a rapport with the new administration, sending external affairs minister S Jaishankar to Colombo just days after the election.

The Prime Minister, in his congratulatory message to Rajapaksa, had said that he looked forward to working closely with him for deepening the close and fraternal ties between the two countries and for peace, prosperity as well as security in the region.

Who is Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Seventy-year-old Rajapaksa had defeated United National Party candidate Sajith Premadasa by more than 13 lakh votes in the recently-concluded presidential elections in Sri Lanka.

He is the second member of the Rajapaksa family to become the president.

NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday said that he has "very high" expectations from India and would like to further strengthen the relations between the two countries.Rajapaksa who is on a three-day visit to India arrived in New Delhi on Thursday."My expectations are very high, I want to bring the relationship between India and Sri Lanka to a very high level," the Lankan president said.He also said both India and Sri Lanka need to work together on issues related to security and overall welfare of the people of the two countries.Earlier today, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met the newly-elected Sri Lankan president during which a range of bilateral and regional issues was discussed, officials said.The Sri Lankan leader was given a ceremonial welcome in the morning at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were present on the occasion.