India Sri Lanka oil pipeline talks focus on energy connectivity and Trincomalee hub plan

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday. The two discussed an oil pipeline that could link India and Sri Lanka. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said energy connectivity was a key topic. The leaders also spoke about housing work, fishermen concerns, and wider cooperation between the neighbours.

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Misri said the talks covered Indian initiatives already in progress and earlier proposals. These included the energy hub project in Trincomalee and the oil pipeline plan. Misri said the discussion noted the value of energy links now. Misri cited the energy crisis impact from the Situation in West Asia.

India-Sri Lanka oil pipeline plan and energy hub talks

Misri told reporters: "Some initiatives that are underway from the Indian side and some proposals that have already been discussed between the two countries, notable amongst them, the project related to the energy hub in Trincomalee and the proposal to link India and Sri Lanka through an oil pipeline. And in fact, the point was made as to the value of such energy connectivity, especially at a time like now, when the entire world and this region especially is facing the fallout of an energy crisis generated by the Situation in West Asia,\"

Misri said Radhakrishnan’s visit was the first by an Indian vice president to Sri Lanka. Misri added that the Sri Lankan president stressed a strong civilisational bond. Misri said Dissanayake referred more than once to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Neighborhood First policy and its effect on bilateral ties.

India-Sri Lanka housing projects and Cyclone Ditwah aid

Officials said Radhakrishnan highlighted India’s Neighbourhood First policy and development support. The meeting also reviewed Indian projects in Sri Lanka. Misri said special focus was on the USD 450 million Cyclone Ditwah aid. The leaders discussed reconstruction and rehabilitation in areas hit hardest in Tamil community regions.

Radhakrishnan later joined a community reception organised by the Indian diaspora. Radhakrishnan virtually handed over homes built under the third phase of the Indian Housing Project. An official statement said homes for Tamil communities would reach 50,000. It added that 10,000 more houses were under construction in the fourth phase.

During the speech, Radhakrishnan spoke in Tamil and greeted people for new year. Radhakrishnan said, \"the Tamil new year and the Sinhala new year celebrated on the same day four days ago pointed towards the ancient civilisational ties between the two communities.\" Radhakrishnan also visited Gangaramaya Temple and New Kathiresan Temple in Colombo.

India-Sri Lanka fishermen issues and political meetings

The two sides also discussed fishermen issues in a humanitarian manner. The talks considered the livelihoods of fishing communities on both sides. Radhakrishnan also met Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr Harini Amarasuriya. Amarasuriya hosted a luncheon at the official residence. The meeting covered civilisational heritage and people-to-people bonds.

Radhakrishnan also met Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Premadasa later wrote: \"Sri Lanka and India are not just neighbours, we are true partners with shared history, shared challenges, and a shared future. It is time we move with greater ambition, intent and trust, to reap the benefits of this partnership for all citizens,\" Radhakrishnan also met leaders of Sri Lankan Tamil parties and Indian Origin Tamil parties.

The Tamil parties thanked the Government of India for the USD 450 million package after Cyclone Ditwah. They also acknowledged other relief measures. A Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry release said several memoranda of understanding were scheduled for exchange during the visit. A local media report said the digital ID project and the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement ETCA were also discussed.

On Monday, Radhakrishnan will travel to Nuwara Eliya to visit Indian Housing Projects. Radhakrishnan will also meet the local Tamil community there. Misri said the visit followed recent high-level engagements. An official statement said it was expected to strengthen long-standing civilisational and people-to-people ties.

Radhakrishnan travelled with a 49-member delegation, officials said. Radhakrishnan was received at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage and other dignitaries were present. The visit’s first day focused on energy proposals, aid implementation, and political outreach across Sri Lanka.

With inputs from PTI