Time for Land Link Between India and Sri Lanka Is Overdue: Indian High Commissioner

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha has reiterated the need to establish a direct land connection between India and Sri Lanka, stating that the time for hesitation on the proposal is over.

Speaking at the Global Innovation and Leadership Summit in Colombo, he highlighted that while the sea distance between Colombo and Chennai is around 300 kilometres, the distance between Rameswaram and Talaimannar is only about 30 kilometres.

He noted that despite this geographical closeness, there is currently no direct road, railway line, large-scale ferry service, energy grid connection, or pipeline between the two countries. He described this as an “anomaly,” comparing it to two adjacent rooms sharing a wall but lacking a door that could easily connect them.

According to him, proposals for a bridge or tunnel across the Palk Strait have been discussed for decades, and the engineering feasibility and economic benefits of such projects are already well established globally.

He further stated that a fixed land link would significantly transform the economic landscape of the region and help Sri Lanka achieve its ambition of becoming a regional hub—something that port expansion or airport upgrades alone cannot accomplish.

India is currently Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner and the leading source of tourists visiting the country. Despite challenges such as natural disasters or geopolitical tensions in other regions, this trend has remained stable.

He also noted that India remains one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment in Sri Lanka, accounting for over 50% of total investments last year when direct and indirect investments are considered. Indian companies are actively investing in telecommunications, energy, digitalization, financial services, transport, and infrastructure sectors.