India and Sri Lanka are initiating discussions on a petroleum pipeline project.

New Delhi and Colombo set to begin technical discussions for a petroleum pipeline

New Delhi and Colombo are set to begin technical discussions that could pave the way for a multi-product petroleum pipeline between the two South Asian nations, Mint has learnt. The project, which was announced during president Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India in July, is expected to help Sri Lanka improve its energy security at an affordable cost.

Discussions to focus on pipeline alignment and energy security

• The discussions are expected to touch on the physical alignment of the petroleum pipeline.
• A proposal is currently under discussion for the pipeline to run from Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu to Jaffna in Northeast Sri Lanka.
• The aim of the pipeline will be to improve Sri Lanka’s energy security at an affordable cost.

The talks follow the 2022 economic crisis that left Sri Lanka facing energy shortages. The country experienced widespread power cuts and fuel shortages, which led to public discontent and the fall of the government. Sri Lanka is among several South Asian countries with which India is attempting to build energy connectivity.

India’s efforts to provide energy security to neighboring countries

• In 2019, India and Nepal inaugurated the Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline, which runs for 69 km between India’s Motihari and Nepal’s Amlekhgunj.
• India and Bangladesh also inaugurated a ‘friendship pipeline’ this year for transporting high-speed diesel.
• India has made efforts to provide energy security through cross-border power supply, including linking power grids with neighboring countries.

India aims to create a more robust energy trade market in South Asia by connecting its power grid with countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Ajay Tewari, additional secretary of the Ministry of Power, stated that India wants to emerge as a unified market in the region.

Conclusion

The technical discussions between New Delhi and Colombo regarding the petroleum pipeline project demonstrate India’s commitment to enhancing energy connectivity with its South Asian neighbors. By improving Sri Lanka’s energy security, the pipeline will contribute to the overall stability and development of the region.

Disclaimer

Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News, Events, and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/new-delhi-colombo-to-begin-tech-discussions-on-petroleum-pipeline-11690996702821.html

Last Updated: 02 Aug 2023, 10:48 PM IST