India, Sri Lanka and UAE forge trilateral partnership to develop Trincomalee as regional energy hub

MoU signing in the presence of Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PIC BY PRESIDENT’S MEDIA DIVISION

In a landmark move to bolster regional energy security and economic collaboration, Sri Lanka, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) to transform Trincomalee into a strategic energy hub.
Sri Lanka’s Energy Ministry Secretary Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala and India’s Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
Holding a special briefing on Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka this weekend, Misri highlighted that the main aim of the trilateral MoU is to unlock the potential of Sri Lanka’s unutilised Trincomalee oil tank farms and advance plans for a cross-border, multi-product petroleum pipeline connecting India and Sri Lanka.
The MoU, signed between the governments of India, Sri Lanka and the UAE, outlines cooperation in developing energy infrastructure to ensure affordable energy access for Sri Lanka while generating export revenue through future energy projects.
A focal point of the partnership is the modernisation of Trincomalee’s dormant World War II-era oil tank farms, partially operated by India’s Lanka IOC. The initiative also includes a proposed pipeline to transport petroleum products from southern India to Sri Lanka, enhancing energy connectivity and reducing supply costs.
Misri described the UAE’s inclusion as pivotal, citing its role as a major energy partner and investor for India. 
“This trilateral framework sets the stage for government and private entities to collaborate on feasibility, financing and project execution,” he stated.  The UAE’s exact role will be defined during the upcoming business-to-business discussions under the MoU.
The pipeline project—previously under bilateral talks—was to be assessed for economic viability by February of this year, with implementation contingent on positive findings.
The Trincomalee initiative aligns with India’s broader strategy to deepen the ties with Sri Lanka through infrastructure and energy projects, countering regional geopolitical pressures. For the UAE, the partnership extends its global energy influence, building on the existing investments in India’s renewable sector.