India and Sri Lanka are set to enhance their economic and energy cooperation, with talks of a possible land link between the two countries. During Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India, he held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.
An Unprecedented Year
Wickremesinghe’s visit to New Delhi marks his first official visit since assuming office last year. The visit comes after an economic crisis forced his predecessor to flee. The support provided by India, offering nearly $4 billion between January and July last year, played a crucial role in helping Sri Lanka overcome its financial crisis. This assistance allowed the country to fund essential imports like fuel and medicine, preventing a complete collapse.
Exploring New Avenues
Both leaders have adopted a vision document to boost economic partnership and connectivity between their nations. The focus is on strengthening maritime, air, energy, and people-to-people ties. The areas of collaboration include tourism, power, trade, higher education, and skill development. The two countries also aim to establish land connectivity through the construction of a land bridge across the Palk Strait. This would give India access to key ports in Trincomalee and Colombo, further strengthening their long-standing relationship.
Joint Ventures
The proposed projects, including the interconnection of electricity grids and the construction of a petroleum pipeline, are estimated to cost around $4 billion. Connecting the power grids through undersea cables would improve energy cooperation, while a petroleum pipeline would ensure an affordable and reliable energy supply for Sri Lanka. The leaders have also expressed their commitment to restarting negotiations on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement, a comprehensive trade deal.
A New Beginning
President Wickremesinghe has kept Prime Minister Modi informed about the reform measures being implemented to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy. He expressed his gratitude for India’s support during one of the most challenging periods in the country’s modern history. The visit is viewed as a positive signal that India’s assistance over the last year has been greatly appreciated. It signifies a new chapter in the partnership between the two nations.
A Region in Focus
While India and Sri Lanka have traditionally maintained strong ties, the strategic location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean has made it an arena for competition between India and China. Both leaders have extended their support for the implementation of an India-backed power-sharing scheme for the ethnic Tamil minority in the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka. This initiative aims to address the linguistic and cultural ties between this minority and Tamils in southern India. The leaders expressed hope that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil community.
Bridging the Divide
The civil war between the majority Sinhala-controlled Sri Lankan government and ethnic Tamil rebels resulted in the loss of many lives. President Wickremesinghe presented Prime Minister Modi with a proposal for reconciliation and power sharing. He has urged the parliament to reach a consensus to resolve the longstanding conflict. The inclusion of two Sri Lankan Tamil ministers in Wickremesinghe’s delegation emphasizes the commitment to fostering peace and unity.
India and Sri Lanka are now embarking on a new phase of their relationship, with a focus on economic cooperation, energy partnerships, and cultural exchange. The shared vision and commitment displayed during President Wickremesinghe’s visit to India signal a promising future for these two nations. As their bond grows stronger, both countries are poised to achieve remarkable feats together.