Sri Lanka’s exports to India grew by nearly 160% over the past five years, significantly outpacing the growth of India’s exports to Sri Lanka, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha said, highlighting the rapid expansion of bilateral trade between the two countries.
Bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately US$7.2 billion during the 2025-26 period, Jha noted while addressing a business networking event titled ‘Trade Connect: Interaction with FIEO Delegation’ at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, citing statistics from India’s Department of Commerce.
The event brought together a 31-member business delegation led by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), India’s apex export promotion body, with representatives of leading Sri Lankan companies and key business chambers.
India continues to be Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, the leading source of foreign direct investment, and the country’s biggest source of tourist arrivals, the High Commissioner said.
The two economies possess complementary strengths, and India remained a reliable supplier of essential commodities, including refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and staple food items, he added. He stressed that there remains substantial potential to deepen trade ties, expand investments, and strengthen business-to-business partnerships.
Comprising representatives from sectors including pharmaceuticals, engineering products, apparel and textiles, food and agriculture, and infrastructure, the FIEO delegation visited Sri Lanka from July 8 to 10. During the visit, delegates explored opportunities to expand commercial engagement and establish new partnerships with Sri Lankan businesses.
Delegates also met officials of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development to discuss sector-specific issues affecting the food and agriculture industries. In addition, members held discussions with the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI), the Access Group, and market associations coordinated by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).
The Trade Connect event also attracted representatives from the Indian CEO Forum (ICF), the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), ILCCI, and the Ceylon Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), providing a platform for extensive business-to-business networking.
The formal exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIEO and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka marked a key highlight of the event. Originally signed virtually on August 19, 2025, the agreement aims to strengthen institutional cooperation through information sharing, trade and investment promotion, business networking, and the identification of new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.
The visit of the Indian business delegation reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen economic cooperation, enhance bilateral trade, and strengthen private sector partnerships, further reinforcing the long-standing economic relationship between India and Sri Lanka.
Bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately US$7.2 billion during the 2025-26 period, Jha noted while addressing a business networking event titled ‘Trade Connect: Interaction with FIEO Delegation’ at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, citing statistics from India’s Department of Commerce.
The event brought together a 31-member business delegation led by the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), India’s apex export promotion body, with representatives of leading Sri Lankan companies and key business chambers.
India continues to be Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, the leading source of foreign direct investment, and the country’s biggest source of tourist arrivals, the High Commissioner said.
The two economies possess complementary strengths, and India remained a reliable supplier of essential commodities, including refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, and staple food items, he added. He stressed that there remains substantial potential to deepen trade ties, expand investments, and strengthen business-to-business partnerships.
Comprising representatives from sectors including pharmaceuticals, engineering products, apparel and textiles, food and agriculture, and infrastructure, the FIEO delegation visited Sri Lanka from July 8 to 10. During the visit, delegates explored opportunities to expand commercial engagement and establish new partnerships with Sri Lankan businesses.
Delegates also met officials of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development to discuss sector-specific issues affecting the food and agriculture industries. In addition, members held discussions with the Indo-Lanka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ILCCI), the Access Group, and market associations coordinated by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).
The Trade Connect event also attracted representatives from the Indian CEO Forum (ICF), the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE), ILCCI, and the Ceylon Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE), providing a platform for extensive business-to-business networking.
The formal exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIEO and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka marked a key highlight of the event. Originally signed virtually on August 19, 2025, the agreement aims to strengthen institutional cooperation through information sharing, trade and investment promotion, business networking, and the identification of new opportunities for bilateral collaboration.
The visit of the Indian business delegation reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to deepen economic cooperation, enhance bilateral trade, and strengthen private sector partnerships, further reinforcing the long-standing economic relationship between India and Sri Lanka.
