Senior ministers from India and Sri Lanka met in New Delhi to review ongoing energy projects and explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the power sector, including renewable energy and cross-border electricity trade.
India's Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, and Sri Lanka's Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy, Anura Karunathilake, held discussions in New Delhi on Friday to assess the status of shared energy initiatives. The meeting focused on reviewing progress of key projects, particularly the proposed India-Sri Lanka high-voltage direct current interconnection and the Sampur Solar Power Project, both of which aim to strengthen energy infrastructure between the two nations.
During the talks, both sides identified several areas for expanded cooperation, including cross-border electricity trade, renewable energy development, transmission infrastructure improvements, and capacity-building programmes. According to the Indian delegation, these initiatives are intended to enhance regional energy security and support the transition towards cleaner energy sources across South Asia. India also highlighted its experience with transmission system development through its Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding framework, which operates as a public-private partnership model.
Both ministers expressed commitment to deepening the energy partnership. Manohar Lal reaffirmed India's dedication to the long-standing bilateral energy relationship, while Karunathilake acknowledged India's ongoing support and expressed Sri Lanka's willingness to expand cooperation further. The high-level meeting involved senior officials from both governments, including India's Secretary of the Ministry of Power and Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India.
The discussions occur within the broader context of India's engagement with Sri Lanka under its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the Vision MAHASAGAR framework. The meeting follows recent diplomatic visits and builds on bilateral agreements established during President Dissanayaka's visit to India in December 2024 and Prime Minister Modi's visit in April 2025.
