The President of Iran, Dr. Ibrahim Raisi’s visit to Sri Lanka on 24 April 2024, is a reminder of the strong bond both countries have forged over the years since diplomatic relations were established in 1961.For Sri Lanka, which is trying to overcome the economic crisis by improving the economic and investment atmosphere in the country through enhanced regional and bilateral partnerships, the visit by the President of Iran provides another opportunity to realise this objective. The visit is expected to enhance the existing economic, commercial, military and political relations between the two countries.
Background
The visit assumes significance, as the last high-profile visit from Iran to Sri Lanka took place in April 2008, following the visit of the then President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, to Iran in November 2007. Sri Lanka was the first Asian country the former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited after assuming office in 2005[i]
The high-level interaction of 2007–2008 took place against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Iran’s struggle to counter the sanctions imposed by the West to curb its nuclear activity. Therefore, the visit by Mahinda Rajapaksa to Iran in 2007 got attention from the West, which requested him not to visit Iran and warned Sri Lanka of its growing economic and investment relations with the West Asian country.[ii]This was also the time when the Government of Sri Lanka was under pressure to maintain its human rights record amidst the push for a military solution to the prolonged ethnic conflict. However, Sri Lanka defied Western concerns by publicly supporting Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.[iii]In 2007, Iran pledged its support to the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP), with an estimated initial cost of $540 million. In 2008, Iran also announced its willingness to share “its uranium enrichment technology with Sri Lanka in order to facilitate a peaceful nuclear energy programme”.[iv]
Despite the concerns expressed by the West, Sri Lanka interacted with Iran and tried to get concessions on imports of items such as oil from Iran to cut down on the costs of the internal war, which ended in 2009.[v]After the US imposed sanctions on buying Iran crude oil in 2011, Sri Lanka struggled to import oil, as the only oil refinery of the country at Sapugaskanda built by Iran in 1961, was configured to run on Iranian crude oil. In 2014, the Government of Sri Lanka denied buying Iranian crude oil from third parties to bypass US sanctions[vi].However, both countries found a way to navigate the sanctions on oil import payments, by signing in December 2021, a tea-for-oil barter deal. As part of the barter deal, in February 2024, Sri Lanka exported tea worth $20 million to Iran to partially repay its $251 million oil debt to Iran.[vii]
Another high-profile visit from Sri Lanka to Iran which took place in May 2018, further cemented the political and economic relations. Former President Maithripala Sirisena undertook an official visit to strengthen the already existing economic cooperation by signing agreements for cooperation in combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation, health, medical science, etc.[viii] In September 2023, the President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickramasinghe, met the President of Iran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Sri Lanka-Iran relations are not confined to economic and commercial cooperation but extend to political relations, which have been cordial for a long time. Iran, in the past, supported the ‘positive political steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to end the internal conflict’[ix] and objected to the UN investigations into human rights violations committed during the final phase of the war between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE’.[x] Iran also extended a helping hand to Sri Lanka to overcome the economic crisis that hit the nation in 2022. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, took positions on regional developments involving Iran. For instance, it expressed concern over growing tensions in the Middle East after the assassination of Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani in 2020 by the US.[xi] In recent months, Sri Lanka’s stand on the Israel-Palestine issue has been appreciated by Iran. For example, Sri Lanka voted in favour of the UN resolution on Gaza in November 2023, which called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”.[xii]As a keen observer of developments in the Middle East, the Sri Lankan Government also established a “Children of Gaza Fund” and donated $1 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in April 2024 to assist the affected children in Gaza[xiii]. It also condemned the attacks on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus in April 2024.
Before the visit of Iran’s President to Sri Lanka, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amirabdollahian, paid a visit to Sri Lanka in February 2024and stressed the importance of developing all-round relations with Sri Lanka without any restrictions.[xiv]
The 2024 Iranian President’s Visit: Emphasis on Global South Cooperation
Against this background, the current visit of the Iranian President to Sri Lanka witnessed signing of five agreements pertaining to cooperation in various fields, including culture, scientific and technical cooperation, mass media, sports and youth, tourism cooperation and the film industry.[xv]Both countries have also shown keen interest in the early convening of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to boost trade relations. By inaugurating the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMPD), Iran established itself as an important energy cooperation partner for Sri Lanka. The project, funded partly by Iran, started in 2007, with a total cost of $540 million. The operationalisation of the project is expected to generate and add 120 megawatts of electricity to Sri Lanka’s national grid. It was also expected to provide irrigation to nearly 25,000 acres of paddy land in the south eastern part of Sri Lanka[xvi].
Apart from the agreements signed during the visit, the geopolitical significance of the visit is hard to miss. The visit took place soon after the Iran-Israel direct clash and amidst the request by the US to show restraint and avoid escalation of conflict in the region.[xvii]The Iranian President was in Pakistan, before his visit to the island nation. Another noteworthy aspect of the visit was the emphasis on the importance of Global South cooperation by both leaders in various fields, which was evident in statements made, while interacting with the media.
While inaugurating the project, the President Dr. Raisi said the“multipurpose project is a source of satisfaction because it is not an ordinary project but has the most up-to-date and advanced technologies from Iranian experts”.[xviii]The President of Iran used the occasion to criticise “Western knowledge sharing practices, which, according to him are rooted in the idea of colonialism and the Western belief that knowledge and technology are exclusive to the West”.[xix]This outlook by the President of Iran was given a push by the President of Sri Lanka when he emphasised that the project stands as a model of cooperation among the countries of the Global South.[xx]In this context, the Sri Lankan leader also observed that Iran is a gateway to Central Asia and is looking forward to increasing Sri Lanka’s economic ties.[xxi] Iran as a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Sri Lanka as a dialogue partner is looking to enhance economic, security and cultural cooperation.
These statements reflect the common understanding both nations share about regional and global developments. For example, Sri Lanka and Iran have been critical of Western approach to their domestic issues for a long time. Sri Lanka has been under the lens of the UN and the West in pursuance of its human rights record due to internal ethnic issues. On the other hand, Iran is fighting various sanctions imposed by the West owing to its nuclear programme. Iran and Sri Lanka supported global nuclear disarmament in a joint statement in 2008.[xxii]Thus, objection to the Western approach has acted as a pull factor in forging economic, political and security relations in the last few decades. Given the industrial and economic capabilities of Iran, Sri Lanka is also interested in welcoming Iranian exerts to implement economic projects in the country.
Iran’s outreach to Sri Lanka also has another dimension, i.e. Iranian naval expansion. The Iranian Navy has been trying to expand its operational outreach beyond its shores in the last decade.[xxiii]It dispatched its submarines to different parts of the world, and Sri Lanka’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean provides ample opportunity to expand its outreach. In 2013, for the first time, Iran’s naval flotilla docked in Colombo port, and it was followed up by the Iranian Navy’s 28th fleet of war vessels in December 2013[xxiv]and the 50th flotilla of warships in 2018, etc. The Iranian Naval Ship (IRINS) Bushehr and Tonb docked in Colombo port on 14 February 2024, symbolising the close cooperation between the Sri Lankan and Iranian Navy. Both countries are also members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
Apart from forging a bond on global and regional matters, at the bilateral level, enhancing people-to-people exchanges has been given a priority by both governments in recent years. One example in this regard is the “Ceylon-Persia” Tourism Awareness Program-2024 organised by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran, to promote two-way tourism in February this year.[xxv].Sri Lanka received 10,322 tourists in 2023, which was a significant jump from the tourist arrivals from Iran in 2022, which is 4,301, and the trend is expected to continue in the future. A conscious effort has also been made to promote soft power through agreements signed pertaining to cooperation in the media and film industry.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s recent engagement with Iran and its emphasis on Global South cooperation has a context. Sri Lanka and Iran are dealing with specific economic and security issues and are looking to explore cooperation in various fields with bilateral and regional partners. By enhanced bilateral and regional partnerships both the nations seem to believe can help in tackling various restrictions imposed by the Western partners in pursuance of their domestic economic, security and foreign policies. Therefore, cooperation agreements signed will further cement commercial, economic, scientific, cultural and military cooperation at the bilateral level and may also ensure Sri Lanka and Iran’s economic and strategic partnership at the regional level in years to come.
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*Dr. Samatha Mallempati, Research Fellow, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
The views expressed are personal.
End Notes
[i]Lydia Walker, “Sri Lanka and Iran: The 2030 Nuclear Power Plant and Iranian Support”, 11 February 2011, https://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=3331. Accessed April 26, 2024.
[ii]Rohan Abeywardena, “President defies West, will go to Iran”, 11 November 2007, https://www.sundaytimes.lk/071111/News/news0004.html. Accessed April 27, 2024.
[iii]“State Visit of His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka, April 28–29, 2008”, http://www.slhclondon.org/news/news-01.html. Accessed May 1, 2024.
[iv]Lydia Walker, “Sri Lanka and Iran: The 2030 Nuclear Power Plant and Iranian Support
Feb11, 2011, https://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=3331. Accessed April 28, 2024.
[v]Rohan Abeywardena, “President defies West, will go to Iran”, November11, 2007, https://www.sundaytimes.lk/071111/News/news0004.html. Accessed April 24, 2024.
[vi] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, “Petroleum Minister Insists SL is not violating US sanctions”, 27 June 2014, https://mfa.gov.lk/petroleum-minister-insists-sl-is-not-violating-us-sanctions/.Accessed April 26, 2024.
[vii]Middle East Monitor, “Sri Lanka repays $20m Iranian oil debt with tea”, 22 February 2024, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240222-sri-lanka-repays-20m-of-its-iranian-oil-debt-with-tea/. Accessed April 27, 2024.
[viii] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, “President Maithripala Sirisena’s State Visit to Iran”, May 16, 2018, https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-iranvisit/. Accessed May 4, 2024.
[ix] “State Visit of His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka, 28 - 29 April 2008”, http://www.slhclondon.org/news/news-01.html. Accessed May 2, 2024.
[x] Michael Rubin, “Sri Lanka: Iran’s New Strategic Partner?”, 10 September 2016, https://www.aei.org/articles/sri-lanka-irans-new-strategic-partner/. Accessed May 2, 2024.
[xi]Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Foreign Ministry Statement on growing tensions in the Middle East”, 6 January 2020, https://mfa.gov.lk/statement-on-middle-east-eng/. Accessed May 4, 2024.
[xii] United Nations, “UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session”, 12 December 2023, https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/12/1144717. Accessed April 28, 2024.
[xiii] Press Trust of India, “Sri Lankan government contributes USD 1 million to Gaza Children fund”, https://www.ptinews.com/story/international/sri-lankan-government-contributes-usd-1-million-to-gaza-children-fund/1397832. Accessed May 7, 2024.
[xiv] Islamic Republic of Iran, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Iranian FM meets Sri Lankan PM in Colombo talks diplomacy”, 21 February 2024, https://en.mfa.ir/portal/newsview/740263/Iranian-FM-meets-Sri-Lankan-PM-in-Colombo-talks-diplomacy.
[xv]Iran, Sri Lanka ink 5 joint cooperation documents, https://president.ir/en/151431.
[xvi] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka, “Visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka, April 24, 2024”, https://mfa.gov.lk/visit-of-the-president-iran-to-sl/. Accessed April 26, 2024.
[xvii]“US works on 'comprehensive response' on Iran, urges Israel to exercise restraint”, April 17, 2024, https://www.voanews.com/a/us-works-on-comprehensive-response-on-iran-urges-israel-to-exercise-restraint/7573272.html. Accessed May 4, 2024.
[xviii] “Dr Raisi in a joint press conference with the President of Sri Lanka”, https://president.ir/en/151443. Accessed May 7, 2024.
[xix] Krishan Francis, “Iran’s Raisi says Israel must be brought to justice for ‘usurpation’ of Palestinian territories”, 25 April 2024, https://apnews.com/article/sri-lanka-iran-raisi-hydropower-sanctions-69a863d6ae212984ddef46f0c4f225e7. Accessed, May 1, 2024.
[xx]President’s Media Division, “Joint press conference chaired by presidents of Iran and Sri Lanka”, April 25, 2024, https://pmd.gov.lk/news/joint-press-conference-chaired-by-presidents-of-iran-and-sri-lanka/.Accessed May 2, 2024.
[xxi]Islamic Republic of Iran, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Iran FM meets Sri Lankan president talks bilateral ties and Palestine”, 21 February 2024, https://en.mfa.ir/portal/newsview/740265/Iran-FM-meets-Sri-Lankan-president-talks-bilateral-ties-and-Palestine. Accessed May 2, 2024.
[xxii]“State Visit of His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Sri Lanka, April 28–29, 2008”, http://www.slhclondon.org/news/news-01.html. Accessed May 7, 2024.
[xxiii]Michael Rubin, “Sri Lanka: Iran’s New Strategic Partner?”, September 1, 2016, https://www.aei.org/articles/sri-lanka-irans-new-strategic-partner/. Accessed May 2, 2024.
[xxiv]“Iran’s 28th Fleet Docks at Sri Lankan Colombo Port”, December 20, 2023, https://archive.almanar.com.lb/english/article.php?id=126432. Accessed April 28, 2024.
[xxv] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka, “Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran conducts “Ceylon-Persia” Tourism Awareness Program-2024”, 9 February 2024, https://mfa.gov.lk/embassy-of-sri-lanka-in-iran-conducts-ceylon-persia-tourism-awareness-program-2024/.