- Calls land Corridor Bridge – a game changer
India’s relationship with Sri Lanka, which has been forged by historical, geographical and deep cultural ties, is not driven by narrow consideration and are not of transactional nature, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha said last week (14) addressing the annual dinner of the Sri Lanka-India Society.
High Commissioner Jha pointed out that the Indo-Lanka relationship is underpinned by unprecedented mutual trust and goodwill, adding that “Our respective urge to transform our nations into a developed one by mid-century; our new-found determination to finally deliver and translate our potential into performance; our faith in democratic polity and good governance; and most important, the aspirations of our large youthful populations, which gives us the much-needed drive and energy, to forge ahead. Indeed, we seem poised to be on the right side of history, expecting to finally achieve our ambition and aspirations of scaling greater heights together.”
The occasion was also held to mark the 75th Republic Day of India and 76th Independence Day of Sri Lanka. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, members of the parliament, President of Sri Lanka-India Society Kishore Reddy, invited guests, and members of the society were present at the event.
“Our approach towards Sri Lanka is solely guided by our neighbourhood first policy and our SAGAR strategy. Our relations are not driven by narrow considerations or have a limited transactional nature. They have a deeper, abiding and enduring logic that stems from us being proximate neighbours. This creates an imperative that we cooperate not out of choice or opportunities alone but because cooperating is the most organic and natural thing to do – the only option,” Jha stated.
The Indian High Commissioner echoed the focus on connectivity between the two Indian Ocean neighbours which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had discussed with President Wickremesinghe last year in New Delhi. “Among these, connectivity undoubtedly is the central pillar of our emerging partnership. When I speak of connectivity, I mean all its dimensions – air, maritime, trade, digital, energy or people-to-people connectivity.” Jha said, highlighting energy connectivity, energy security initiatives and investments by Indian companies in Sri Lanka, particularly that in the renewable energy sector.
Commenting on the proposed India-Sri Lanka Land Connectivity Corridor, Jha said that the project is the most ambitious recent venture and also the most impactful in terms of potential, adding that initial steps for the process have begun. The senior Indian diplomat championed the corridor opining that it would likely bring significant economic benefit and transform the Indo-Lanka relationship to that of an unbreakable partnership.
Commenting on the ongoing discussion regarding the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Jha said; “India is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner, the largest foreign investor in recent years and biggest contributor to Sri Lanka’s vast tourism potential. India and Sri Lanka were the first in the region to sign a Free Trade Agreement. It came into force in 2000. Now, we are seeking to broaden the scope of the FTA through an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement or ETCA and a separate Bilateral Investment Treaty. There is no doubt that FTA has served us well especially in enhancing Sri Lanka’s export potential. The data for bilateral trade over the past two decades bears this out clearly and those holding to a contrarian view need to rely on this data rather than false perceptions or ideological prejudice. Once concluded, the ETCA will further strengthen the existing framework by removing impediments to genuine trade, eliminating non-tariff barriers and enabling greater trade facilitation. The main objective remains advancing Sri Lanka’s access to vast Indian markets not just in merchandise goods but also in services and to promote further Indian investments.”
He also spoke of key investment, aid projects, and the strong security relationship India and Sri Lanka enjoys.
