As conflict in West Asia disrupted global oil and gas supplies, India intervened as part of its “neighbourhood policy”. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake thanked New Delhi on Sunday for its “quick support” by sending fuel to the island nation during its energy crisis.
Turning to X, the Sri Lankan leader wrote that Colombo received 38,000 metric tons of fuel from India.
“I spoke with PM @narendramodi a few days ago about the fuel supply disruption that Sri Lanka is facing due to the conflict in the Middle East. Grateful for India’s quick support. 38,000 MT of fuel arrived in Colombo yesterday. Also thanks to EAM @DrSJaishankar for his close coordination,” Dissanayake wrote on the social media platform.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Sri Lankan president regarding the energy crisis caused by the war between the US, Israel and Iran.
“We reviewed the progress made on key initiatives aimed at strengthening India-Sri Lanka energy cooperation and strengthening regional security. As close and reliable partners, we reaffirmed our commitment to work closely together in addressing common challenges,” Modi wrote in a message on X.
According to a statement issued by Indian High Commission in ColomboSri Lanka, which had earlier received fuel supplies from West Asia and Singapore, faced major disruptions due to the conflict in West Asia.
Suppliers with which the International Oil Company has contracts in Sri Lanka have expressed their inability to deliver supplies due to the US-Iranian conflict and the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Due to the above disturbances, rescue supplies have been requested from India from IOCL. The current consignment of 38,000 MT is part of these supplies. The Government of India, through the IOC Lanka, has extended support to Sri Lanka to maintain continuity of fuel supply,” the statement issued by the High Commission added.
According to the statement, of the 38,000 metric tons delivered, 20,000 metric tons were diesel and 18,000 metric tons were gasoline.
