India-Sri Lanka defence pact, seen as a big step to boost strategic ties, comes nearly 40 years after Indian Peace Keeping Force’s role in the island nation.
India Sri Lanka Signed Defence Pact
🛡️ 1. Landmark Defence Cooperation Agreement
- India and Sri Lanka signed their first-ever defence cooperation MoU.
- It formalises joint military exercises, training programmes, and high-level exchanges.
- PM Modi highlighted that India and Sri Lanka’s security interests are interlinked.
- President Dissanayake assured that Sri Lanka’s territory won’t be used against India’s security interests.
🤝 2. Strengthening Bilateral Ties
- The agreement came after comprehensive talks between PM Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
- PM Modi presented a broader roadmap for deeper strategic, economic, and cultural cooperation.
- This pact marks a major development after nearly 40 years since India’s Peace Keeping Force was deployed in Sri Lanka.
📜 3. Total of 10 Major Agreements Finalised
Besides the defence pact, 9 other MoUs and agreements were signed:
⚡ 4. Grid Interconnectivity Agreement
- MoU signed to interconnect the power grids of India and Sri Lanka.
- Enables cross-border electricity trade and energy cooperation.
☀️ 5. Sampur Solar Power Plant Project
- Both leaders inaugurated the Sampur power project virtually.
- It aims to make Trincomalee an energy hub with Indian support.
- This includes multi-product pipelines and solar power initiatives.
🤝 6. Tripartite Energy MoU with UAE
- India, Sri Lanka, and UAE signed a tripartite agreement.
- Focus: Develop Trincomalee into a major energy hub including pipeline infrastructure.
💻 7. Digital Transformation MoU
- India to share digital solutions and platforms with Sri Lanka.
- Supports Sri Lanka’s digital governance and e-services.
💰 8. Debt Restructuring Cooperation
- Agreement signed for financial collaboration and debt restructuring.
- Aims to help Sri Lanka recover economically from its recent crisis.
🧑⚕️ 9. Health & Medicine Collaboration
- MoU between India’s Ministry of Health and Sri Lanka’s Health & Mass Media Ministry.
- Focus: Medical training, capacity building, and healthcare exchange.
💊 10. Pharmacopoeial Standards Agreement
- MoU signed between Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority.
- Purpose: Harmonisation of drug quality standards.
🕌 11. Solar Rooftop Systems for Religious Sites
- India will provide $17 million credit assistance.
- Project to supply solar rooftops to 5,000 religious institutions (Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim).
- Will generate 25 MW of green energy.
🌍 12. Support Package for Eastern Provinces
- PM Modi announced a 2.4 billion Sri Lankan rupees support package.
- Aimed at the social and economic development of Sri Lanka’s eastern provinces.
✈️ 13. High-Level Diplomacy
- The agreement followed PM Modi’s visit to Colombo after attending the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok.
🧾 Conclusion
This historic defence pact and multi-sector agreements mark a new era in India-Sri Lanka relations, enhancing cooperation in security, energy, digital transformation, and health. The growing synergy is a strong reflection of India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Sri Lanka’s commitment to regional stability.
