India has reaffirmed its strong commitment to accelerating Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and supporting its long-term growth, with Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha describing New Delhi as the island’s “most dependable partner.”
Addressing a wide-ranging discussion on bilateral relations, investment, and India’s own economic rise, Jha said India views the current period—marked by Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah—not only as a challenge, but also as a turning point that presents new opportunities to rebuild and strengthen the country’s economic foundations.
He noted that India is keen to further expand its investments across Sri Lanka.
“We have a great interest in continuing our own investments in Sri Lanka—to grow, to help Sri Lanka recover from the economic crisis, and to overcome the more recent devastating impacts of Ditwah,” Jha said.
Echoing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s outlook, the High Commissioner said that while Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread destruction, it has also created space for renewal and strategic reinvestment.
“Ditwah is also an opportunity in many ways. It is an opportunity to rebuild, and it is an opportunity to invest,” he said.
According to Jha, both India’s reconstruction assistance and the Sri Lankan government’s rebuilding programme are expected to generate fresh economic activity and momentum.
He emphasised that the India–Sri Lanka partnership remains strong, stable, and uniquely relevant in a rapidly changing global environment.
“As neighbours, we are naturally partners. But more than that, our relationship is rooted in history and remains alive in contemporary times. The stability and quality of our relationship is truly remarkable,” he said, adding, “We take pride in being Sri Lanka’s most reliable friend and most dependable partner.”
Jha also highlighted India’s rapid economic transformation, describing the country as one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.
He noted that India is the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy and has recently emerged as the fourth-largest economy globally. The country recorded 8.2 percent growth during the June–October quarter and consistently outperforms global forecasts.
“When the IMF projects India’s growth at 7.3 percent, it usually grows closer to 8 percent,” he observed.
India, he said, is currently a USD 4 trillion economy and is on track to reach USD 7 trillion by 2030–31. It is also expected to become the world’s third-largest economy before the end of this decade.
In a candid remark, Jha said his diplomatic role in Sri Lanka differs from traditional ambassadorial responsibilities.
“In Sri Lanka, my job is more about encouraging inward investments from India into Sri Lanka, which is quite the opposite of what ambassadors usually do around the world,” he said.
He concluded by positioning India’s economic rise as one that is intended to uplift its closest partners—especially Sri Lanka—through deeper cooperation, investment, and shared growth.
