Context
India’s Prime Minister met Sri Lanka’s President on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi to review recent bilateral progress and discuss cooperation in multiple sectors.
India–Sri Lanka Relations
1. Nature of Relationship
• Close neighbours linked by geography, history, culture, Buddhism, trade, and people-to-people ties.
• India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner and a primary development partner.
2. Key Areas of Cooperation
• Energy: grid connectivity, renewable energy, LNG cooperation.
• Connectivity: ferry services, flight links, digital connectivity.
• Infrastructure: ports, housing projects, transport systems.
• Economic ties: Indian investments, credit lines, trade facilitation.
• Security: maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
• Health, education, skilling, culture, blue economy.
3. Recent Developments Referenced
• Leaders “took stock” of bilateral progress.
• Discussed strengthening cooperation in multiple sectors.
• Sri Lanka appreciated India’s exceptional support during Cyclone Ditwah.
• India earlier pledged a $450 million reconstruction package post-cyclone.
• No specific mention of Tamil issue or individual projects in the exchange.
