Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena made India his first visit abroad.

The new Sri Lanka president has been openly welcomed by Indian officials for his visit Sunday evening, according to The Associated Press.

President Sirisena said India is important to Sri Lanka as a regional ally. The two countries have experienced a shaky relationship in recent years as China became a closer ally to India.

For years, Sri Lanka had uneasy relations with New Delhi while Sri Lanka was receiving international pressure to speed up post-civil war reconciliation efforts.

"We will be making a new beginning with India," government minister and spokesman Lakshman Kiriella said.

Sirisena is looking to boost bilateral trade with India. He is scheduled to visit a Buddhist temple complex during his four-day visit where he will also travel to the southern Indian city of Tirupati on Tuesday.

"This is an important issue. We will discuss issues relating to the reconciliation and reconstruction in Sri Lanka," said Akbarrudin, the foreign ministry spokesman.

The Sri Lankan government said it still needs time to set up its own judicial mechanism while deciding what to do with its crime against humanity issues.

Thousands of people are suspected to have died during the last months of the Sri Lankan civil war between government officials and Tamil rebels.

Amnesty International praised Sirisena for taking "important steps" in restoring independent judiciary institutions in the country.

"It is important that the international community supports Sri Lanka through these initiatives, beginning with India, which is one of its closest and most important partners," the rights group said Sunday.

Amnesty International also calls for Sri Lanka to end discrimination, protect freedom of speech and conduct a speedy and thorough investigation into the rights abuse allegations.