Why is India Building an Energy Hub in Sri Lanka’s Trincomalee Port? | Connecting The Dots
Posted on April 10th, 2025
India’s plan to develop a major energy hub in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, marks a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific and counter China’s growing influence in the region. Trincomalee’s deep-water harbour, historic oil tank farm, and strategic location near India make it ideal for energy storage, supply, and transit. Partnering with the UAE brings financial muscle and technical expertise, helping ensure reliable energy access for both India and Sri Lanka. The project supports regional energy security, boosts Sri Lanka’s economy, and serves as a counterbalance to China’s debt-trap diplomacy,” especially after Beijing’s control of Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port. Beyond energy, the initiative deepens India-Sri Lanka defence ties, including a five-year military cooperation agreement, and signals India’s broader aim to be Sri Lanka’s most dependable partner in development and security