Context: India and Sri Lanka inked seven MoUs — including one on defence cooperation — during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka in April 2025. The Indian PM was honoured with Sri Lanka's highest civilian award Mithra Vibhushana.
Relevance of the Topic: Mains: India - Srilanka ties: Key developments.
Key Highlights of the Meeting
- Defence Cooperation Pact:
- An umbrella agreement providing a framework to pursue ongoing defence sector cooperation in a more structured manner. Aims to formalise joint military exercises, training programmes, and high-level exchanges.
- SL President reaffirmed commitment to not allow SL territory to be used against India’s security or regional stability. The countries agreed to work together on the Colombo Security Conclave and security cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
- Energy Cooperation:
- The two sides signed an MoU to interconnect their electricity grids to facilitate power trade.
- Tripartite MoU involving the United Arab Emirates will focus on the development of Trincomalee (SL) as an energy hub, including the construction of a multi-product energy pipeline.
- Virtually inaugurated the commencement of Sampur solar power project (SL).
- Economic Cooperation:
- MoU to share India’s digital solutions with SL to support its digital transformation.
- Support package of about 2.4 billion SL rupees for the social and economic development of SL’s eastern provinces.
- Cultural Cooperation:
- Relics of the Buddha, found in 1960 in the Aravali region in Gujarat, would be sent to SL for an exposition during the Vesak festivities — commemorating the birth, enlightenment and the death of the Buddha.
- India would support the renovation of the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee and the construction of the sacred city in the Anuradhapura Mahabodhi temple complex, and the Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya.
Also Read: India-Srilanka Relations https://compass.rauias.com/current-affairs/sri-lankan-president-india-visit/