New Delhi, Feb. 15 -- India and Sri Lanka on Saturday held a meeting to strengthen ties between both the countries in the areas of critical minerals, exploration, and mining.

The discussions focused on fostering bilateral cooperation in mineral exploration and mining, particularly in securing critical minerals essential for both nations' economic and industrial growth, the Ministry of Mines said.

Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey held a productive meeting today with Sunil Handunnetti, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Government of Sri Lanka, at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi the ministry said in a statement.

A key focus was placed on Sri Lanka's vast graphite and beach sand mineral resourc...