India-Sri Lanka Sign Historic Defense Pacts For The Future

India and Sri Lanka have taken a historic step in strengthening their bilateral relations by signing a landmark defence cooperation pact, the first of its kind between the two nations. This comes almost 40 years after the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka during the civil conflict. The pact, signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo and his discussions with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, reflects a shared strategic vision and growing interdependence on security and development matters. The pact is part of a wider framework of ten major agreements focusing on defence, energy, digital cooperation, and health, aimed at deepening the partnership between the two neighbouring countries.

Key Highlights of the India-Sri Lanka Defence Pact & Other Agreements

Defence Cooperation

• A first-ever framework MoU on defence cooperation.
• Includes joint military exercises, training programmes, and high-level exchanges.
• Reinforces the idea that the security of both countries is interconnected.
• PM Modi highlighted the sensitivity of Sri Lanka towards India’s security concerns.
• President Dissanayake reassured that Sri Lankan soil will not be used against India.

Energy & Infrastructure

Sampur Power Project

• Groundbreaking ceremony held virtually.
• Will aid in Sri Lanka’s energy security.
• Multi-product energy pipeline project:
• Tripartite MoU involving India, Sri Lanka, and UAE.
• To develop Trincomalee as an energy hub.

Grid Interconnectivity MoU

• Connects India and Sri Lanka’s electricity grids.
• Facilitates power trade and potential electricity exports.

Digital Transformation

• MoU signed for India to share digital governance solutions.
• Aims to accelerate Sri Lanka’s digital transformation.

Renewable Energy Initiatives

Solar Rooftop Project

• Installation of rooftop solar panels on 5,000 religious institutions.
• Funded with $17 million Indian credit assistance.
• Will generate 25 MW of green energy.
• Inclusive of Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim religious places.

Health & Medicine

MoU between

• India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and
• Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health & Mass Media.
• Focuses on cooperation in healthcare services and medicine.

Separate MoU between

• Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission and
• Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority.
• To ensure cooperation in pharmacopoeial standards and practices.

Regional Support & Development

• India announces a support package worth 2.4 billion Sri Lankan rupees.
• Focuses on social and economic development of Sri Lanka’s eastern provinces.