NEW DELHI : High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Mahishini Colonne invited Indian buyers, investors and business leaders to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, while highlighting the considerable potential for stronger economic partnerships between Sri Lanka and India.
The High Commissioner was speaking at the Conference on “Business Opportunities in BIMSTEC Countries”, organised by the Millennial India International Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MIICCIA) at the India International Centre in New Delhi on 5 October 2026.
The conference brought together senior diplomats representing all seven BIMSTEC member states, senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and around 80 representatives from Indian trade and industry to explore opportunities for greater economic engagement and business partnerships across the region.
The conference was addressed by Ambassador Rudrendra Tandon, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, who highlighted the scope for expanding trade and economic relations among BIMSTEC countries and encouraged Indian businesses to explore opportunities in neighbouring markets. Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, President of MIICCIA, outlined the Chamber’s role in promoting India’s trade, investment and commercial engagement with BIMSTEC countries. Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Secretary-General of BIMSTEC, addressed the conference through a video message, emphasising stronger business-to-business engagement and greater private-sector participation in advancing regional economic cooperation. Senior representatives of the BIMSTEC member states also shared perspectives on economic and commercial opportunities in their respective countries.
In her address, High Commissioner Colonne highlighted Sri Lanka’s strategic location, connectivity and established economic relationship with India, and identified opportunities for greater cooperation in trade, investment, ports and logistics, manufacturing, tourism, renewable energy and digital services. She emphasised that Sri Lanka and India already have substantial economic and people-to-people links, but that significant untapped potential remains for deeper business partnerships and two-way investment.
High Commissioner Colonne invited Indian businesses, as well as business communities across BIMSTEC, to participate in Sri Lanka Expo 2027, Sri Lanka’s flagship international trade exhibition, which will be held in Colombo from 14-17 January 2027. The Expo will bring together Sri Lankan exporters, international buyers, investors and industry leaders to explore new trade and investment partnerships.
