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India and Sri Lanka in "power-sharing" negotiations

by sudharaka | June 29, 2009 at 09:54 pm

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There's certainly a new "spark" in the bi-lateral relations between India and Sri Lanka and the latest to be floated is a "power sharing" deal.(No, this is nothing to do with politics but the electricity.)

A submarine cable proposed to be laid between Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu and Talaimannar of North Western Sri Lanka is to allow both countries to "manage" their power requirements.

In the grander scheme of things, this link up between the two local grids is thought of as the stepping stone towards a common South Asian power grid. The power cable laid along the Gulf of Mannar is to be accompanied by a fiber optic cable to monitor the status of the power cable as well as to link up the telecommunication facities between the countries.

NEW DELHI: India and Sri Lanka are set to energise their relations. Literally. The two neighbours will soon sign an MoU to study the feasibility
of laying an undersea cable — which will be one-of-its-kind in Asia when completed — to connect their power networks. Sources said the MEA has approved the draft agreement which is to be signed shortly.

An interlink between India and Sri Lanka will also firm up the idea of establishing a South Asian energy grid being discussed by the Saarc grouping. India already has a heavy-duty power link with Bhutan and connecting Bangladesh and Pakistan will not pose much of a technical problem. Final touches are being given to a study on the South Asian grid.