My dear brothers and sisters from Sri Lanka,
Namaskar, Ayubowan, Vanakkam!
I convey my greetings to you as we celebrate India’s 76th Republic Day. This occasion is particularly special this year around as the Constitution of India completes 75 years from its commencement. The Indian Constitution has proven to be a beacon of democracy, guiding the nation through transformation and growth. This day is not just about reflection but also about honoring the values and principles that have shaped India into the world’s largest democracy and the fifth-largest economy.
India, the ‘Mother of Democracy’, is progressing through the early years of its Amrit Kaal, the centenary independence culminating with a Viksit Bharat in 2047, a developed India. It is apt that the theme of this Republic Day is “स्वर्णिम भारत – विरासत और विकास”, reflective of Young India’s resolve to modernise and develop while keeping our heritage and cultural ethos intact.
Let me share an ongoing instance where this theme will come alive for you. Friends, India is currently hosting the Maha Kumbh, the greatest human gathering on earth. Over 400 million people are expected to gather at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh to witness a once-in-144-year cosmic convergence of faith and festivity. This celebration of faith is interwoven with application of new tech- with AI and drones being used for crowd management, and high-tech sewage treatment plants developed through an ISRO-BARC collaboration being used for waste management along with bioremediation techniques.
This is the pathway to Viksit Bharat. On this path, we seek to be a partner in progress for our neighbours and the global community. Our mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is reflected in our Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR Vision.
Sri Lanka is a key partner under the rubric. India and Sri Lanka not only are fellow democracies, sharing in our diversity and dynamism, we are civilisational partners, sharing our history, language, religion and ethos. Our stories have intertwined — and our futures are interlinked. Our geographical proximity makes us natural partners and the same proximity demands a mutual sensitivity to each other’s interests. It also requires each of us to support the other with an unmatched spontaneity, unencumbered by third party pulls and pressures.
India has time and again demonstrated that it is a dependable partner and a reliable friend for Sri Lanka. Whether it is natural disasters, mishaps at sea, the COVID pandemic or the recent economic crisis, India has come to Sri Lanka’s assistance always as the first responder. Our support has been timely, quick and unconditional.
India today stands as the principal development partner of Sri Lanka with grants portfolio amounting to nearly USD 780 million. Continuing our efforts towards supporting Sri Lanka’s fiscal stabilisation, we have converted USD 100 mn worth of developmental loan assistance into grants as well.
As Sri Lankan economy turns the corner, we are committed to support a more sustainable path to economic recovery, development and prosperity in Sri Lanka. For this reason, a strategic shift from debt-driven growth to investment-led partnerships across different sectors is underlined as the need of the hour in the Joint Statement adopted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President H.E. Anura Kumara Disanayaka during the latter’s visit to India in December 2024.
We are working with Sri Lanka to expedite implementation of physical, energy and digital connectivity projects. Discussions are underway on the multi-product pipeline between India and Sri Lanka in partnership with UAE, inter-grid connectivity, Sampur Solar Power Plant, LNG Supply. We are optimistic for an early launch of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project to empower Sri Lanka with a whole suite of Digital Public Infrastructure, proven to improve efficiency of service delivery while curbing corruption.
The India-Sri Lanka partnership is akin to democracy which is people-led and people-centred. Capacity Building initiatives form one of the major pillars of our ties. These include training for 1500 civil servants, over a 1000 scholarship slots and the largest defence training numbers.
It is the bonds between our people that form the core of this partnership. India conferring Classical Language status to Pali, stimulates scholarship here. The Tamil poet and icon Thiruvalluvar finds as much respect and relevance here as in India. The Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka and Buddhist Circuit in India continue to be the enduring threads of legend and devotion, connecting us in an imperishable fondness.
I look forward to your continued support and renewed vigour as co-ambassadors of the #IndiaSriLanka friendship to ‘Foster Partnerships for a Shared Future’.
Jai Hind. Dhanyavad. Sthuthi. Nandri.
