Diplomatic briefing
High Commission of India, Colombo
High CommissionSri Lanka · High Commissioner: Mr. Santosh Jha
10 figures · 2 sources · built 38 minutes ago
In short
India’s high commission in Sri Lanka records bilateral trade of $7.18bn, a reported community of 16,07,500, 53 agreements on record and a UN voting alignment with India of 79%. Led by Mr. Santosh Jha, high commissioner.
Total bilateral trade
$7.18bn
US dollars · as stated in the brief
Source· retrieved 38 minutes ago
Bilateral Brief — Sri Lanka
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: “Trade and Commerce:” section
“The merchandise trade between India and Sri Lanka amounted to USD 7.18 billion in FY 202526, with India’s exports at USD 5.52 billion and Sri Lanka’s exports at USD 1.66 billion.”
Published: undated · Read: 8 October 2026
Read from the briefing by a language model. The quoted sentence was verified by string matching against the extracted PDF text before this figure was accepted.
Overseas Indians
Medium confidence16,07,500
persons · as of Jan 2026
Source· retrieved 1 day ago
Population of Overseas Indians
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: row "Sri Lanka"
“PIOs 1,600,000 + NRIs 7,500 = 1,607,500”
Published: undated · Read: 7 October 2026
MEA publishes no methodology for these estimates and told a Parliamentary committee it holds "no authentic data". The page also repeats some countries from an older vintage with the PIO/NRI columns swapped; the first occurrence is used here. This country appears 2× on the page.
Agreements on record
Medium confidence53
agreements · 1950–present
Source· retrieved 39 minutes ago
Indian Treaties Database — filtered by country
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: search-result-item count, sorted newest first (newest: 29 November 1977)
“CULTURAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA — 29 November 1977”
Published: 29 November 1977 · Read: 8 October 2026
MEA states it cannot vouch for the accuracy or completeness of this database. It carries no status field, so "in force" cannot be derived from it — only that an agreement is on record.
UN votes matching India’s
79%
share of UNGA votes matching India’s · UNGA session 78
Source· retrieved 12 hours ago
United Nations General Assembly Voting Data — Ideal Point Estimates
Source: Bailey, Strezhnev & Voeten — Harvard Dataverse
Where: row “Sri Lanka”, session 78, IndiaAgree over 86 votes
Published: undated · Read: 8 October 2026
UN General Assembly Voting Data (v39), non-commercial licence. The share is the dataset’s own IndiaAgree column — roll-call votes on which this country and India voted the same way, as the dataset defines agreement — not our calculation. Independent of MEA.
Where this is
Drag to pan, scroll to zoom, then click a country. The rail filter stays the precise control.
The relationship, in figures
Trade
Exports to Sri LankaUS dollars · as stated in the brief$5.52bn
Bilateral Brief — Sri Lanka
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: “Trade and Commerce:” section
“The merchandise trade between India and Sri Lanka amounted to USD 7.18 billion in FY 202526, with India’s exports at USD 5.52 billion and Sri Lanka’s exports at USD 1.66 billion.”
Published: undated · Read: 8 October 2026
Read from the briefing by a language model. The quoted sentence was verified by string matching against the extracted PDF text before this figure was accepted.
Imports from Sri LankaUS dollars · as stated in the brief$1.66bn
Bilateral Brief — Sri Lanka
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: “Trade and Commerce:” section
“The merchandise trade between India and Sri Lanka amounted to USD 7.18 billion in FY 202526, with India’s exports at USD 5.52 billion and Sri Lanka’s exports at USD 1.66 billion.”
Published: undated · Read: 8 October 2026
Read from the briefing by a language model. The quoted sentence was verified by string matching against the extracted PDF text before this figure was accepted.
Trade balance in India’s favourUS dollars · as stated in the brief · our calculation$3.86bn
Exports minus imports, as stated in the same briefing (in USD)
exports − imports
People
Indian community in Sri Lankapersons · as stated in the brief15,00,000
Bilateral Brief — Sri Lanka
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: “Indian Community” section
“The IOTs constituting about 1.5 million are mostly employed in either tea or rubber plantations, with some section of IOTs living in Colombo are engaged in business.”
Published: undated · Read: 8 October 2026
Read from the briefing by a language model. The quoted sentence was verified by string matching against the extracted PDF text before this figure was accepted.
Diplomacy
Most recent high-level visityear of the visit · as stated in the brief2026
Bilateral Brief — Sri Lanka
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India
Where: “Political Exchanges” section
“Most recently, Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan visited Sri Lanka from 1920 April 2026 on an official visit.”
Published: undated · Read: 8 October 2026
Read from the briefing by a language model. The quoted sentence was verified by string matching against the extracted PDF text before this figure was accepted.
Agreements on record (53)
MEA Treaties Database- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE MINISTRY OF DIGITAL ECONOMY OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SHARING SUCCESSFUL DIGITAL SOLUTIONS IMPLEMENTED AT POPULATION SCALE FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONScience and Technology05 April 2025
- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA FOR REHABILITATION FOR THE KARAINAGAR BOATYARDMiscellaneous16 December 2024
- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA FOR COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF RENEWABLE ENERGYEnvironment and Resources21 July 2023
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP TO COMBAT TRANSNATIONAL ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AT SEA AND DEVELOP REGIONAL CO-OPERATIONMaritime Law09 May 2018
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE PROVISION OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE TO 200 BED WARD COMPLEX AT DISTRICT GENERAL HOSPITAL,VUVUNIYA,SRI LANKAHealth15 September 2015
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA OF SMALL DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS THROUGH LOCAL BODIES,NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS,CHARITABLE TRUSTS AND EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL INSTITUTIONSEducation15 September 2015
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RABINDRANATH TAGORE MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM IN THE UNIVERSITY OF RUHUNA,MATARA,SRI LANKACultural Relations and Sport13 March 2015
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON CO-OPERATION AND MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CUSTOM MATTERSAid and Cooperation13 March 2015
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENTCultural Relations and Sport13 March 2015
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA ON EXEMPTION FROM VISA REQUIREMENT FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL PASSPORTSDiplomatic Relations13 March 2015
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGYEnvironment and Resources16 February 2015
- WORK PLAN UNDER THE MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE YEAR 2015-2016Aid and Cooperation16 February 2015
- PROGRAMME OF CULTURAL COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE YEARS 2015-2018Cultural Relations and Sport16 February 2015
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NALANDA UNIVERSITYEducation16 February 2015
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE PEACEFUL USES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY.Defence and Security16 February 2015
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMEs IN HANDLOOM,POWERLOOM AND TEXTILESAid and Cooperation09 September 2013
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA ON COMBATING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND ILLICIT DRUG TRAFFICKINGCivil and Criminal Matters22 January 2013
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASIONBusiness and Trade22 January 2013
- MOU ON COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND MYANMAR.Friendships28 May 2012
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION OF AN EXPOSITION OF THE KAPILVASTU RELICS FROM PIPRAHWA IN SRI LANKACultural Relations and Sport18 May 2012
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF AGRICULTUREAid and Cooperation17 January 2012
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON THE RESTORATION OF THE THIRUKETHEESWARAM TEMPLE IN MANNAR,SRI LANKACultural Relations and Sport17 October 2011
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR SETTING UP OF A THREE TIER ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING SYSTEM IN SRI LANKAEducation13 September 2011
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON THE REHABILITATION OF THE HARBOUR AT KANKESANTHURAI SRI LANKACultural Relations and Sport21 July 2011
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA TO ESTABLISH A CENTRE FOR COMTEMPORARY INDIAN STUDIES(CCIS)Education12 July 2011
- EXCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKAEducation27 January 2011
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA.Maritime Law07 January 2011
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF SRI LANKA ON TRANSFER OF SENTENCED PERSONSCivil and Criminal Matters09 June 2010
- AGREEMENT ON MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKACivil and Criminal Matters09 June 2010
- PROGRAMME OF CULTURAL COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKACultural Relations and Sport09 June 2010
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR INTER-CONNECTION OF INDIA SRI LANKA ELECTRICITY GRIDSScience and Technology09 June 2010
- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA RELATING TO GRANT ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA FOR STRENGTHENING OF THE SAARC TERRORIST OFFENCES MONITORING DESK (STOMD) AND SAARC DRUG OFFENCES MONITORING DESK (SDOMD) IN SRI LANKACivil and Criminal Matters04 October 2008
- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA AND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA REGARDING THE RURAL SOLAR ENERGY ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT IN SRI LANKAEnvironment and Resources25 July 2008
- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA AND GOVERNMENT OF INDIA REGARDING THE TELEMEDICINE PROJECT IN SRI LANKAHealth12 June 2008
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPORT OF APPAREL ARTICLES FROM SRI LANKA TO INDIA ON TARIFF RATE QUOTA UNDER ISLFTABusiness and Trade05 October 2007
- BILATERAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKAAid and Cooperation17 August 2006
- MOU FOR DRY LEASE OF ONE OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL(OPV) BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKAAid and Cooperation25 April 2006
- EXCHANGE PROGRAMME BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATIONEducation10 June 2005
- MOU BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKAAid and Cooperation27 January 2004
- MOU ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF TOURISM BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKAAid and Cooperation23 January 2004
- MOU BETWEEN ICAR INDIA AND CARP SRI LANKA ON SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COOPERATIONScience and Technology02 July 1998
- PROGRAMME OF CULTURAL COOPERATION BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE YEARS 1996, 1997 AND 1998Cultural Relations and Sport22 January 1997
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF INVESTMENTSBusiness and Trade22 January 1997
- INDIA SRI LANKA PEACE ACCORDFriendships29 July 1987
- CONVENTION BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION AND THE PREVENTION OF FISCAL EVASION WITH RESPECT TO TAXES AND ON CAPITALBusiness and Trade27 January 1982
- CULTURAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKACultural Relations and Sport29 November 1977
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON THE MARITIME BOUNDARY IN THE GULF OF MANNAR AND THE BAY OF BENGALMaritime Law23 March 1976
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYScience and Technology28 February 1975
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA ON THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN HISTORIC WATERSMaritime Law26 April 1974
- TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND CEYLONBusiness and Trade28 October 1961
- AGREEMENT ON TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKABusiness and Trade28 October 1961
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA FOR RELIEF FROM OR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION OF INCOMEBusiness and Trade10 September 1956
- AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND CEYLON RELATING TO AIR SERVICESTransport21 December 1948
The briefing
MEA publishes a bilateral brief — 9 sections, 21,718 characters of extractable text. Sections include: Brief on India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations · Political Exchanges · Trade and Commerce: · Connectivity and Tourism: · Development Cooperation: · Defence & Security Cooperation.
Open the briefing (PDF)Where the sources disagree
Two public sources disagree on the size of the Indian community — 7% apart
- Overseas Indians16,07,500
- Indian community in Sri Lanka15,00,000
Both are published by the Ministry of External Affairs, with no stated methodology. Neither is averaged away or preferred — the disagreement is the honest answer.