India and Sri Lanka Expand Trade and Media Ties

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha led a series of diplomatic and economic engagements in Colombo from July 8 to July 11, 2026, focused on deepening bilateral ties. During the India-Sri Lanka Trade Connect event, Jha met with a 31-member delegation from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations to discuss supply chain expansion and economic partnerships. Jha highlighted that bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately USD 7.2 billion during 2025-26, noting a nearly 160 percent growth in Sri Lankan exports to India over the last five years.

To formalize these business linkages, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations and the National Chamber of Exporters signed a Memorandum of Understanding. These efforts aim to reinforce India's position as the primary trading partner and largest source of foreign investment for Sri Lanka.

Diplomatic activities continued on July 11 with the inauguration of the second Sri Lanka-India Media Friendship Association Fest, co-led by Jha and Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyarathne. Additionally, Jha issued an Overseas Citizen of India card to Pradeep Sundaralingam, the Sri Lankan Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure. This issuance follows a policy shift announced in April 2026 by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan to simplify eligibility for the Indian diaspora and the Indian Origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka.