NEW DELHI (Agencies): During a visit to New Delhi by Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, India and Sri Lanka sealed important deals to enhance their economic and connectivity partnerships. The two nations agreed to explore the feasibility of a petroleum pipeline and a land bridge connection. Additionally, plans were made to improve air and maritime connectivity, with the establishment of a passenger ferry service between Tamil Nadu’s Nagapattinam and northern Sri Lanka’s Kankesanthurai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Wickremesinghe also discussed the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) to boost trade and cooperation between the two countries. India’s instant payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), will soon be available in Sri Lanka, further fostering engagement in the fintech domain.
The leaders fast-tracked work to connect electricity grids and establish an energy and industry hub in Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee district, and India pledged support for development projects in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka, where the Tamil minority resides.
The visit demonstrated the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two nations and their commitment to furthering economic cooperation and regional development.