A significant diplomatic event unfolded on the first day of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Sri Lanka, as seven key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between the two countries, covering critical sectors such as energy, digitalization, defense, health, and multi-sectoral development.
1. Energy Transfer Agreement
The first MoU exchanged was related to energy transfer between the two nations. It covers the import and export of energy and was signed between the Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy of Sri Lanka, Professor Udayanga Hemapala, and India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Mishri.
2. Digital Cooperation Agreement
Aimed at supporting Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, this MoU was signed between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Digital Economy. Representing Sri Lanka was Prof. Udayanga Hemapala, and representing India was Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri.
3. Trincomalee Energy Centre – Tripartite MoU
This tripartite agreement involves Sri Lanka, India, and the United Arab Emirates in a joint effort to establish the Trincomalee Energy Centre. Prof. Udayanga Hemapala signed on behalf of Sri Lanka, Vikram Mishri represented India, and Khalid Nassar represented the UAE.
4. Defence Cooperation Agreement
A Defense Cooperation MoU was signed to bolster strategic ties between the two nations. It was exchanged by Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyyakontha and Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishri.
5. Multi-Sectoral Grant Cooperation – Eastern Province
An MoU focusing on development cooperation in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province was signed between Sri Lankan Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha.
6. Health and Pharmaceutical Cooperation Agreement
To enhance collaboration in the health sector, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media. Representing Sri Lanka was Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and Santosh Jha represented India.
7. Drug Regulatory Cooperation MoU
A separate MoU was signed to strengthen cooperation in pharmaceutical regulation. This was also signed by Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.
Project Inaugurations and Symbolic Openings
In addition to the MoUs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi symbolically inaugurated several development projects in Sri Lanka from Colombo:
- Sampur Solar Power Plant: The groundbreaking ceremony for the 50-megawatt solar plant spread over 500 acres in Sampur was symbolically inaugurated.
- Dambulla Agricultural Cold Storage Complex: Built to reduce post-harvest waste and improve agricultural efficiency, the temperature- and humidity-controlled warehouse was officially declared open.
- Rooftop Solar Panel Donation to Religious Sites: A major initiative supported by a US$17 million Indian grant, rooftop solar systems will be installed at 5,000 religious institutions across all 25 districts, covering Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, and Islamic places of worship.
These agreements and inaugurations highlight an evolving partnership between India and Sri Lanka, rooted in shared goals for sustainable development, security cooperation, and regional connectivity.
