New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): India and Sri Lanka have agreed to establish high-capacity power grid interconnection between the two nations to enable bidirectional electricity trade between the island nation and other regional nations.  The bilateral document released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “To establish a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka to enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries, including the BBIN countries, which has the potential to not only bring down the costs of electricity in Sri Lanka but also help create a valuable and dependable source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka.” 

The MoU on cooperation in developing renewable energy would develop Sri Lanka‘s significant renewable energy potential, including offshore wind and solar, according to the bilateral document. The MoU will enable Sri Lanka to achieve its target of generating 70 per cent of power requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030. 

The two nations have agreed to expedite the implementation of the understanding reached on the Sampur Solar power project and LNG infrastructure.  “To expedite implementation of understanding reached on Sampur Solar power project and LNG infrastructure, and explore cooperation in green hydrogen and green ammonia through use of innovative technologies with an aim to increase renewable energy mix in power generation of Sri Lanka,” the joint statement. 

India and Sri Lanka have agreed to further develop Trincomalee as a national and regional hub of industry, energy and economic activity based on mutual understanding.  “That ongoing cooperation in development of Trincomalee Tank Farms is a reflection of our endeavour to develop mutually beneficial cooperation projects in Trincomalee area, and agreed to further develop Trincomalee as a national and regional hub of industry, energy and economic activity on the basis of mutual understanding,” the bilateral document reads. 

India and Sri Lanka have agreed to cooperate for the construction of a multi-product petroleum pipeline from the Southern part of India to Sri Lanka with the aim to ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources to Sri Lanka.  The bilateral document further read, “To undertake mutually agreed joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Sri Lanka’s offshore basins with an aim to develop Sri Lanka’s upstream petroleum sector.”

The two nations agreed to cooperate in the development of ports and logistics infrastructure at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai with an aim to consolidate regional logistics and shipping. India and Sri Lanka also agreed to resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai.

The bilateral document released by India and Sri Lanka reads, “To cooperate in development of ports and logistics infrastructure at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai with an aim to consolidate regional logistics and shipping, as per mutual understanding.” It further reads, “To resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places.”

The bilateral document came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held delegation-level talks in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Sri Lanka has a special place in India‘s neighbourhood first policy and the security interests and development of the two countries are intertwined.

In his remarks to the media after talks with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister said they have agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between the two countries.  “Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India‘s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ vision.

Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined,” PM Modi said. “We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka,” he added. (ANI)

India looks forward to strengthening developmental partnership with Sri Lanka: President Murmu

New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said India looks forward to continuing and strengthening its developmental partnership with Sri Lanka under leadership of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. President Murmu on Friday met her Sri Lankan counterpart Wickremesinghe at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

While welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, President Murmu said: “Sri Lanka occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) Vision”, according to an official release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). “India’s multi-pronged support to Sri Lanka in the last one year to tide over its economic challenges is a testament to India’s long-standing commitment to bilateral relations with Sri Lanka,” President Murmu said.
She emphasized that India has always stood with Sri Lanka during its hour of need and would continue to do so in future as well,” she said.

President Murmu said India–Sri Lanka partnership is enduring and beneficial to the common people of our two countries and the larger Indian Ocean Region, as per the official release. During the meeting, the two leaders noted that India and Sri Lanka are working on many key projects in several sectors, and that India–Sri Lanka development partnership has touched the lives of Sri Lankans in a positive way.

The Sri Lankan President on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. 
Meanwhile, PM Modi on Friday said Sri Lanka is key to India‘s Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR efforts. PM Modi said he discussed India–Sri Lanka bilateral ties with the Sri Lankan President.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, “Glad to welcome President Wickremesinghe. I congratulate him on completing a year in office and working for Sri Lanka’s progress with great courage. Sri Lanka is key to our ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘SAGAR’ efforts and thus, we discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties.” PM Modi said he and Wickremesinghe discussed how to boost the economic partnership between the two nations. The two leaders worked to deepen connectivity and cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in tourism, energy, trade, education, fintech and skill development. PM Modi said he and Sri Lankan President also discussed the issue of Indian fishermen. 
PM Modi tweeted, “President Wickremesinghe and I discussed how to boost the economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka. We also worked to deepen connectivity and cooperation in tourism, energy, trade, education, fintech and skill development.”

India, Sri Lanka on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Another MoU was signed on cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. The two countries issued a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka.
An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project. (ANI)