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India eyes China’s ‘triangle of death’, race for influence in Sri Lanka with energy, maritime deals

  • India’s recent moves in Sri Lanka are part of a strategy to boost its influence and presence as the ‘strongest player’ in South Asia, observers say
  • But they warn that the power imbalance between the two means Sri Lanka runs the risk of ‘one-sided deals’ that may not benefit its people

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Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe (left) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting in New Delhi last month. Photo: EPA-EFE
Sri Lanka and India have cemented their long-standing ties with a rush of energy and maritime deals amid a push by New Delhi for more strategic influence in the region to counter China’s rising clout – even as analysts warn Colombo against becoming overreliant on its larger neighbour.
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Both South Asian nations agreed to boost maritime, air, energy and power cooperation, among other areas, during Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

A number of ports – including Colombo on Sri Lanka’s western coast, Trincomalee in the east and Kankesanthurai on the northernmost tip of the island country facing the Palk Strait separating it from India – are set to be developed.

Trucks carrying shipping containers are seen at the main port in Colombo. A number of Sri Lankan ports are set to be developed under the deals signed with India. Photo: Reuters
Trucks carrying shipping containers are seen at the main port in Colombo. A number of Sri Lankan ports are set to be developed under the deals signed with India. Photo: Reuters

An oil pipeline connecting Sri Lanka and India was agreed, alongside a high-capacity power grid to enable “bidirectional electricity trade” between the island and the wider region, including Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal – other member countries of the so-called BBIN subregional initiative for economic cooperation.

Both leaders also agreed to collaborate on green, or carbon-free, ammonia and green hydrogen – considered by some to be a “fuel of the future” as it is derived from water using renewable energy sources.

Given Sri Lanka’s crippling energy shortages last year and lack of foreign currency to import fuel, analysts say the collaboration could help the country shift towards more renewable energy sources, thereby lowering overall fuel consumption.
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However, the key is not to rely too much on external power sources, they said.

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