Digital & AI based analysis of Bilateral relations
Diplomatic and Strategic Engagements
Diplomatically, India engages ASEAN through annual summits and the East Asia Summit (EAS). Sri Lanka participates in ARF and has hosted ASEAN events, such as the 2023 ASEAN Day flag-raising in Colombo. Strategic ties focus on maritime security in the Indian Ocean, with India and ASEAN endorsing the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). India-Sri Lanka defense cooperation includes joint exercises like SLINEX and support for Sri Lanka’s maritime domain awareness. In 2025, under Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship, discussions on Sri Lanka’s potential accession continue, bolstered by India’s advocacy for South Asian integration.
Challenges include geopolitical tensions in the South China Sea, economic disparities, and Sri Lanka’s debt issues affecting integration. Non-tariff barriers and supply chain disruptions post-COVID hinder trade. Future prospects are optimistic, with RCEP (excluding India but including ASEAN) and potential India-ASEAN FTA reviews.
Sri Lanka’s 2025 economic reforms under President Dissanayake aim for deeper ASEAN ties, supported by India’s Neighborhood First policy. Enhanced connectivity via projects like the Colombo-Trincomalee Economic Corridor could unlock trilateral potential.