October 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is uniquely positioned as India’s closest maritime neighbor, presenting a significant opportunity to align with India’s dynamic growth and leverage this partnership for its own economic resurgence.
This perspective was highlighted by the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, during his address at the 45th National Conference of the Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka.
He emphasized the importance of a strong partnership between the two nations, underlining their shared history, geography, and a future that naturally binds them together.
High Commissioner Jha emphasized the evolving global dynamics, noting the shift from G7 to G20 as the principal forum for global discussions.
He pointed out that traditional institutions like the United Nations, World Trade Organization (WTO), and World Health Organization (WHO) are becoming less effective in addressing current global challenges, indicating the need for new strategies and partnerships.
One of the key proposals from High Commissioner Jha was the creation of a connectivity corridor between India and Sri Lanka, aimed at enhancing access to global markets and fostering economic opportunities.
He stressed India’s commitment to a people-centric foreign policy toward Sri Lanka, focusing on direct benefits to its people through investments, grants, and development projects rather than creating debt burdens.
Jha noted that India’s development projects are currently active in all 25 districts of Sri Lanka, with a significant number already completed and more underway.
Highlighting the strategic importance of Sri Lanka’s economic revival, Jha reiterated India’s support for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and efforts to secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) assistance.
He emphasized the necessity of both countries transcending past hesitations to work collaboratively towards shared goals for regional stability and prosperity.
Jha urged a transformation in the mindset of both nations, advocating for a proactive approach to embrace mutual goals.
He remarked, “We are intertwined by our geography, history, and shared future, and attempts to create divisions would only harm our common aspirations.”
His message stressed the importance of a united front to navigate the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, which he described as the epicenter of global growth.
Looking ahead, Jha highlighted India’s ambitious economic targets, referencing predictions that India could become the world’s second-largest economy by 2050.
He noted the goal set by India’s Prime Minister for the nation to achieve developed status by 2047, in line with its 100th year of independence.
He concluded by underscoring India’s rising influence in the global economic arena, asserting its crucial role in shaping the future of the region.
This renewed focus on cooperation between Sri Lanka and India suggests a path forward that leverages shared strengths, with both nations standing to benefit from deeper economic ties and a collective vision for growth and development.
