Jaishankar reviews energy projects in Sri Lanka visit
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently undertook a day-long visit to Colombo and discussed progress on key energy sector initiatives that India and Sri Lanka have agreed to jointly undertake.
Highlights:
- Participating in a ceremony with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, he commissioned a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and handed over new homes built with Indian assistance.
- This initiative underscores the deepening maritime security cooperation between India and Sri Lanka
- Maritime security has been a recurring theme in India’s engagement with neighboring countries and is also a stated priority for the Colombo Security Conclave, an initiative that brings together India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius, along with Bangladesh and the Seychelles as observers.
- Significant attention was given to plans for an LNG supply, a proposed petroleum pipeline linking the two countries, and advancing oil and gas exploration projects.
- Additionally, it was announced that construction of the Sampur Solar Power Plant is set to commence in July 2024.
- The move for the Coordination Centre coincides with Sri Lanka’s ongoing moratorium on foreign research vessels, after India raised concern over the docking of Chinese research vessels at Sri Lankan ports.
Prelims Takeaway
- India - Sri Lanka
- Colombo Security Conclave