Remarks by Indian envoy at Innovation Island Summit
The following are excerpts from remarks made by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, at the Innovation Island Summit ITC Ratnadipa on Feb. 20.
“So, first, let me welcome you to the first edition of the Innovation Island Summit in Colombo. In particular, I am told that we have 200 participants from over 45 countries, including those outside Sri Lanka.
“I am pleased that we will have a chance to listen to the views and receive guidance from the President of Sri Lanka, HE Anura Kumara Disanayaka.
“We are fortunate that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka will also be taking part in and giving keynote addresses at different times during this two-day summit. Immediately after my remarks, we will also enjoy listening to Shri Amitabh Kant, a Civil Service senior with many distinctions. In a country where tourism is a major economic activity, you would be pleased to know that he conceived and implemented the “Incredible India” campaign.
“More recently, in 2023, Shri Amitabh Kant steered the most successful G20 summit in its history as India’s G20 Sherpa during the Indian Presidency of the G20.
“I must also thank the ORF and Capital Maharaja Group for organizing this event. This is an effort to bring global conversations to Sri Lanka. And in my view, this is a good time to have them in Sri Lanka.
“A few observations.
“First, Sri Lanka is on the cusp, potentially, of a significant change. People’s aspirations and expectations have found a new expression in the two elections held in Sri Lanka. The Covid pandemic and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka has underlined the need for a transformation that many Lankans have yearned for generations to happen.
“Second, Blue, Green, and Chrome, as the three themes of the conference, are most suited for Sri Lanka’s quest for transformation. Blue is an obvious choice for an Island surrounded by waters with colossal potential. Green, too, is appropriate as Sri Lanka, an Island country, is particularly vulnerable to climate change. It is also blessed with rich potential for green energy, including for energy exports to the larger Asian region. And because digitization has become the new currency for low-middle income countries to transcend their entrenched inefficiencies and outgrow them to position themselves to take full advantage of the many opportunities in an emerging geo-technological age.
“Third, and this is my last point. Sri Lanka cannot afford to stay in isolation like any other country.
Even in this new era of re-globalization, global connectivity and interdependence remain the norm. Whether it is markets abroad, critical imports or tourism, investment, and technology, Sri Lanka must remain engaged with the rest of the world. This requires a better understanding of global trends and opportunities.
I am sure that this conference would help build a better appreciation of the need for global engagement to fulfill Sri Lankans’ aspirations for change, growth, and prosperity.
As far as we in India are concerned, we are engaged with Sri Lanka based on our Neighborhood First and SAGAR approach.
Our relations are based on the principles of solidarity, of sharing whatever best we can offer to each other and being a partner of first and last resort.
Today, our relations are better than ever before and spread across a wide range of domains. Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, has described connectivity, energy, and digitization as the three principal pillars of our development partnership. We are also engaged in other areas such as health, education, ports and airports, agriculture, fisheries, security, and defense. As civilizational twins, our partnership is necessary and not a matter of choice. Our future is tied together even more than our past was.
So, among all our shared pursuits, it is vital that we also discuss the state of the world as well. A shared perspective and understanding would help us rise above past hesitations and old mindsets. It will help us build a new relationship suited to our shared aspirations, especially as new opportunities beckon us in the 21st century.
For this reason, I am also grateful to the ORF for choosing Colombo for the first edition of the Innovation Island Summit. I hope this becomes an annual tradition like other such pursuits of ORF led by Mr. Samir Saran.