Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, is purportedly planning a visit to Sri Lanka this month, potentially fostering stronger ties between India and the island nation in the Indian Ocean, aligning with New Delhi’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

While not officially affirmed by India, reports in Sri Lanka’s media, citing the country’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, suggest Jaishankar’s imminent visit. Sabry was quoted by Economynext.com stating, “I can affirm that Dr. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister of India, is anticipated to arrive in Colombo at some point during this month.”

Sabry further mentioned that Jaishankar’s visit aims to evaluate ongoing collaborations spanning various sectors such as renewable energy, tourism, financial alliances between central banks, finance ministries, and to prepare for an upcoming visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sri Lanka expresses its keenness to continue collaborating with India, particularly in investment, fostering people-to-people contacts, tourism, and enhancing connectivity in domains like electricity, land, sea, air, and other modes thereof.

Jaishankar last visited Sri Lanka in October 2023 for the 23rd Council of Ministers’ meeting and the 25th Committee of Senior Officials of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). This forthcoming visit marks his first since assuming office as External Affairs Minister for the second time under the Modi 3.0 government.

During Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent visit to New Delhi to attend Modi’s inauguration, Jaishankar expressed his intention to review ongoing India-aided projects in Sri Lanka.

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka, rooted in ancient history, received a significant boost when India extended $4 billion in aid to Sri Lanka in 2022 during a severe financial crisis, further solidifying India’s position as Sri Lanka’s principal development aid partner.

Renewable Energy Collaboration:

Following the signing of the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision document during President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to New Delhi in July last year, Indian companies are increasingly engaging in tapping into Sri Lanka’s renewable energy potential in the Indian Ocean.

In March this year, a contract was signed between the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, the Government of Sri Lanka, and Bengaluru-based U Solar Clean Energy Solutions for implementing Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems in Delft (Neduntheevu), Nainativu, and Analaitivu islands in the Palk Bay off the coast of Jaffna. This project, aimed at addressing the energy needs of these islands, is being funded through a grant from the Government of India (GoI). Combining various energy forms, including solar and wind, the project aims to optimize energy capacities. The total renewable energy capacity of the three facilities is set at 2,230 KW, funded by an $11-million grant from the Indian government.

It is noteworthy that initially, the contract for these facilities was awarded to the Chinese firm Sinosoar in January 2021, following guidelines from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). However, due to security concerns raised by New Delhi, as the facilities are located just 50 km off the southern coast of India, the Sri Lankan government reassigned these projects to India’s U Solar Clean Energy Solutions.

India’s National Thermal Power Corporation and the Adani Group are also engaged in other renewable energy projects across various regions of Sri Lanka.

People-to-People and Tourism Relations:

The historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka, dating back millennia, are deeply entrenched in shared heritage, historical events, cultural practices, and religious traditions. Buddhism, in particular, has played a significant role in binding the two nations. In the 3rd century BCE, Prince Mahendra and Princess Sanghamitra, the offspring of Emperor Ashoka, introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka, initiating a profound exchange of religious and cultural influences that have endured through time.

The Ramayana, an epic of Indian literature, further strengthens these ties, with numerous locations in Sri Lanka associated with its narrative. These mythological and historical connections form an integral part of the collective consciousness of both nations, nurturing mutual respect and comprehension.

In April this year, a significant milestone in the Indo-Sri Lankan cultural and religious relationship was marked with the commencement of the Ramayana Trails project.

The Ramayana Trails project aims to spotlight nine significant sites mentioned in the Ramayana, scattered across Sri Lanka.

By providing a spiritual and cultural journey for Hindu pilgrims and travelers, the initiative seeks to attract millions of Indian and international tourists to the country. Its overarching objective is to enrich the nation’s spiritual and cultural heritage while bolstering its tourism sector.

In addition to granting access to these sacred sites, the project aims to offer visitors an immersive experience by showcasing the ancient spiritual events associated with these revered shrines, leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR).

Stretching from Adam’s Bridge in the Mannar Basin to Seetha Eliya in Nuwara Eliya, each location mentioned in the epic Ramayana has been meticulously selected for inclusion in this pilgrimage endeavor.

Indians constitute one of the largest groups of foreign tourists visiting Sri Lanka, drawn by the island’s scenic beauty, cultural heritage, and Buddhist sites. Similarly, Sri Lankan tourists visit India in significant numbers, primarily for Buddhist pilgrimage sites like Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar, as well as for medical tourism and leisure activities.

In line with people-to-people ties, India and Sri Lanka have robust educational exchanges. Many Sri Lankan students pursue higher education in India, availing themselves of scholarships provided by the Indian government. Institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are attractive to Sri Lankan students. Additionally, Indian cultural centers in Sri Lanka offer courses in Indian languages, music, dance, and yoga, further enhancing cultural ties.

India-Sri Lanka Land Connectivity:

President Wickremesinghe recently announced that the feasibility study for establishing land connectivity with India is nearing completion. During his inspection of regional development in Mannar, Wickremesinghe stated that the preliminary phase of the feasibility study has concluded, with the final stage imminent.

The proposed route aims to link Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India, to Talaimannar in Sri Lanka, leveraging the existing Adam’s Bridge (or Ram Setu), a series of natural limestone shoals that provide a relatively shallow and stable foundation.

India-Sri Lanka Power Grid Connectivity:

The proposal for power grid connectivity between India and Sri Lanka holds significant potential for enhancing energy security, stimulating economic growth, and fostering regional cooperation. The primary proposal involves the construction of a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link between India and Sri Lanka, suitable for long-distance transmission with minimal losses.

The proposed route for the HVDC link would connect the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India to the northern region of Sri Lanka, potentially spanning across the Palk Strait and necessitating the laying of a submarine cable.

Discussions regarding this proposal and the potential for connecting a power grid between the two countries are anticipated during Jaishankar’s visit. Additionally, commercial ventures for selling excess renewable energy to India will be on the agenda.