India, UAE, Sri Lanka signed an MoU to develop an energy hub in Trinakomali in Pushback against China’s influence. Bharat News

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Image Credit: PM Modi’s X Handle)

New Delhi: The Indian Ocean Region, India, in a step showing the growing strategic alignment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Sri Lanka on Saturday signed an agreement to develop a multi -faceted energy center in Eastern Sri Lankan city of Trincomli.
The deal was formalized during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo – since President Anura Kumara Dissanayke took over in September – was told about regional cooperation amidst increasing competition with China.
According to the government press release, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) The Government of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates government signed as an energy hub to cooperate in the development of Trincomli”.
The proposed energy in Trincomalee will include the construction of a natural deep water port-one multi-product pipeline with the hub-historical strategic value and the possible use of the World War II oil tank farm, partially operated by the Sri Lankan subsidiary of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). It is expected to work as a regional energy logistics center, taking advantage of joint investment and technical expertise from India and UAE.
“There is a great possibility of becoming a regional center for energy cooperation in Trincomli,” Misri told reporters in Colombo. He said, “UAE is a strategic energy partner for India, who is an ideal ally for this first type of initiative in the field,” he said.
The tripartite project adds an important dimension to India’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Sri Lanka, especially Beijing continues to impact through large -scale infrastructure projects, which includes $ 3.2 billion oil refinery in Hambantota, which is reported by the Sinopak of China, as reported by the Reits. India’s active association with Colombo, now extended by the involvement of the United Arab Emirates, is widely seen as a calibrated response to China’s footprint in the island nation.