High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, H.E. Santosh Jha’s Message on the occasion of 79th Independence Day of India

My dear brothers and sisters from Sri Lanka,

Namaskar, Ayubowan, Vanakkam!

On this 79th Independence Day of India, I extend my warm greetings to all of you. Today, a resilient and rising India celebrates its independence — not only as a democracy that upholds the aspirations of its people but also as a nation who’s rise today is measurable and unstoppable; a nation that is not only lifting millions out of poverty, but also sending Missions to moon.

India is now the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP exceeding USD 4 trillion, growing at an annual rate of 6.2% (IMF, 2025). This growth is not limited to statistics — it reflects rising incomes, expanding opportunities, and the strengthening of economic foundations across the country. India is projected to become the third-largest economy by 2028, overtaking Germany.

What makes this growth particularly significant is its inclusive nature. According to World Bank data, extreme poverty in India has fallen sharply — from 27.1% in 2011–12 to just 5.3% in 2022–23. At the same time, inequality has declined. India now ranks as the fourth most equal country globally on the Gini Index, with a score of 25.5, placing it in the “moderately low” inequality category.

These outcomes are the result of bold policy reforms and systemic transformation. Key initiatives like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) have modernised India’s economy. Social protection schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and Jan Dhan Yojana have extended health and financial inclusion to millions, ensuring that growth reaches the most vulnerable.

With 65% of the population under the age of 33, India is also benefitting from a dynamic demographic dividend that supports its ambitions to become a developed nation — Viksit Bharat — by 2047, the centenary of our independence.

India’s growth story is also rooted in sustainability. India now generates 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources — achieving this milestone five years ahead of the target set under its Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. For India, the clean energy transition is not an alternative to growth but a parallel pathway that strengthens it.

It is in this context that India’s 79th Independence Day holds relevance for Sri Lanka, which also started its independent journey alongside India. Both our nations have walked together on the path of unwavering commitment to democracy with a focus on providing better living conditions for our peoples. India and Sri Lanka share deep and historic bonds, which predates our shared colonial history. It is these bonds that truly make us ‘Civilisational Twins’. It is from this deep-rooted kinship that India Sri Lanka relations draws its strength and vibrancy. As its closest maritime neighbour, Sri Lanka has a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy as well as its ‘MAHASAGAR Vision’.

The priority that India and Sri Lanka attach to each other is reflected in the recent visits by The President of Sri Lanka to Delhi and Prime Minister of India to Sri Lanka. H.E. President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka chose Delhi for his first visit abroad and welcomed Prime Minister Modi in the first State Visit to Sri Lanka since assuming office. As mentioned by Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to Colombo in April 2025, 

 “India is proud to have fulfilled its duties as a true friendly neighbor to Sri Lanka. Whether it was the terrorist attack of 2019, the COVID pandemic, or the recent economic crisis, we have stood firmly with the people of Sri Lanka during every difficulty.”

Relations between India and Sri Lanka are based on mutual trust and goodwill. Over the past six months, we have been working closely with the Government of Sri Lanka on various facets of our bilateral relations, promoting bilateral trade and investment, collaboration on technical assistance and training, improving people-to-people relations, promoting mutually beneficial connectivity projects, while also continuing grant-based assistance in areas as identified with the Government of Sri Lanka. India ischampioning a definitive shift from a credit-based approach, to an investment led partnership with Sri Lanka on various fronts. Ensuring economic development to the people of Sri Lanka, without burdening the country with debt is at the core of this approach. 

India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, its top source of foreign investment, and the largest contributor of tourists. Our development partnership is broad-based and people-focused. The projects inaugurated and announced during the visit of Prime Minister Modi to Sri Lanka in April this year- the Temperature controlled warehouse in Dambulla, Railway projects, Sampur Power project, Solar Rooftop systems for religious places, assistance for Sacred City Complex at Anuradhapura, for Trinconeswaram Temple and for Sita Eliya Temple underscore this approach.

India continues to work towards people-centric development projects through projects related to Housing, Suwaseriya Ambulance Service, Jaffna Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity Project, capacity building initiatives etc. to name a few. These projects align with the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka and are aimed at improving lives directly and meaningfully.

India and Sri Lanka are deeply connected — not just by geography, but by shared aspirations and a common future. Our destinies are intertwined. As India rises, we are committed to ensuring that our growth is shared with our neighbourhood — especially Sri Lanka — through partnerships built on trust, respect, and mutual benefit. India advocates for a strong voice for the Global South, including for Sri Lanka, connecting its interests with our own priorities.

On this Independence Day, let us renew our commitment to a stronger India–Sri Lanka partnership and to a future of shared peace, progress, and prosperity.

Jai Hind.

Ayubowan, Sthuthi, Nandri.

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