The event opened with welcome by Ms. Dipika Upadhyaya, Secretary General of ISCCI, Opening address by Lt Gen RK Loomba (Retd), Chairman of ISCCI. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India, H.E. Ms. Mahishini Colonne was the Chief Guest at the event who in her address highlighted the shared culture and heritage of our two countries and expressed hope that initiatives like this discussion will not only endeavor to accelerate the infrastructure development of Sri Lanka but also strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

The discussion session was chaired by former Chief Information Commissioner of India Ambassador Y.K. Sinha also former High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka and the UK. The event featured distinguished voices such as Mr. Geshaan Dissanayake, Minister Counselor (Commercial), High Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Charan Singh, Eminent Economist and Policy Advisor, Dr. P.R. Jaishankar, Former Managing Director, India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL), Ms. Vidisha Krishan, Investment and Capital Markets Expert, Dr. Naresh Bana, Global PPP Advisor and Vice Chairman, ISCCI.

The elaborate discussion explored the key themes of opportunities for Sri Lanka to leverage India’s growing economy in general and the GIFT City in particular, for international bond listings. Post-crisis resilience measures by Sri Lanka and their implications for trade, foreign investment, and regional collaboration and importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and blended finance models in infrastructure development and the role Sovereign bonds can play in mitigating the project bankability. Further, it detailed the cross-border financial cooperation mechanisms, including learnings from multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Regulatory pathways for INR-denominated bond issuance under the oversight of SEBI and the RBI while also emphasizing on building investor confidence through macroeconomic stability, transparency, and institutional safeguards.

Speaking on the occasion, ISCCI Vice Chairman Dr. Naresh Bana emphasized the catalytic role of chambers of commerce and bilateral institutions in anchoring long-term investor confidence. He highlighted that “Platforms like today’s are not just about dialogue—they are about designing pathways for sustainable investment and collaboration between India and Sri Lanka.”

The panel concluded with a consensus that sovereign bond issuance in India could be a game-changer for Sri Lanka’s infrastructure ambitions, provided it is need based, fiscally prudent, backed by robust institutional frameworks, regional cooperation, and investor confidence-building measures.

The event reinforced ISCCI’s commitment to fostering economic diplomacy and cross-border business partnerships in sectors critical to Indo-Sri Lankan cooperation.

Indo-Sri Lanka Cooperation Summit Strengthens Bilateral Ties

Noida, 10th March 2024 - The Indo-Sri Lanka Cooperation Summit was successfully held at KRIBHCO Auditorium, Noida, emphasizing the strong cultural, economic, and strategic partnership between India and Sri Lanka. Organized by the Indo-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ISCCI), the event witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries and industry leaders.

The summit commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome address by the Secretary General of ISCCI. The theme of the summit was introduced by the Chairman of ISCCI. The event was presided over by Mr. Manish Kumar, Director (F), KRIBHCO. The Guests of Honour included Mr. Sandeep Marwah, Chancellor of AAFT University, and Ms. Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India.