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Re-establishment Of India-Sri Lanka Ferry Service

After nearly 40 years, a ferry service across the Palk Strait has been re-established between India and Sri Lanka. The ferry, Cheriyapani, was inaugurated by Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, on October 14.

  • The service was disrupted due to the civil war in Sri Lanka.
  • The new ferry route links Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India, and Kankesanthurai in the northern province of Sri Lanka.
  • This effort is part of a greater roadmap for enhancing connectivity between the two nations.
  • The Shipping Corporation of India will run the service daily.
  • The ferry covers the 60-nautical mile (110-km) journey in about 3.5 hours.
  • The Palk Strait has been a popular maritime route for centuries.
  • The Sri Lankan civil war led to a pause in passenger traffic on this route.
  • The previous ferry service, the Indo-Ceylon Express, ceased in 1982 due to the Sri Lankan civil war.
  • The ferry service is being revived two years after a passenger transportation Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries.

New Ferry Service: A Boost For India-Sri Lanka Ties

  • A new ferry service is set to enhance travel and trade between India and Sri Lanka.
  • The idea was conceived during Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India in July 2023, as part of an envisioned economic partnership.
  • India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, called it a strategic move at the virtual inauguration.
  • He stated that this service would significantly heighten people-to-people interactions.
  • Jaishankar highlighted India’s ‘neighbourhood first’ policy, stating that this maritime initiative would enhance connectivity, cooperation, and contact.
  • He also mentioned India’s SAGAR policy, underlining the country’s commitment to regional maritime security, disaster response, and environmental safety.
  • S Jaishankar also pointed out this ferry service as a testament to India’s support for the Kankesanthurai harbour.

Upgradation Of Nagapattinam Port

  • Nagapattinam port, under Tamil Nadu Maritime Board, recently underwent improvements.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs funded a Rs 8 crore upgrade.
  • The new ferry service is aimed at increasing tourism.
  • Nagapattinam is close to important religious sites including Thirunallar, Nagore, and Velankanni.
  • Nagapattinam Port is an ancient port situated in Nagapattinam District. The port of Nagapattinam is located at the mouth of the river Kaduvayar in the Bay of Bengal.
  • The hinterland for this port consists of Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Pudukottai, Trichy, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Dindigul, Madurai, Karur, Perambalur, Ariyalur Districts.

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Palk Strait

  • The Palk Strait is an oceanic connector between southeastern India and northern Sri Lanka.
  • It’s part of the larger Bay of Bengal.
  • The southern boundary of the strait includes Pamban Island (India), Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge (a chain of shoals), the Gulf of Mannar, and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka).
  • Another name for the southwestern part of the strait is Palk Bay.
  • The strait can be between 40 and 85 miles wide, is 85 miles long, and has a depth of less than 330 feet.
  • Several rivers flow into the strait, including India’s Vaigai river.
  • Many islands are scattered on the Sri Lankan side of the strait.
  • The important port of Jaffna, a commercial hub for northern Sri Lanka, is located on the strait.
  • The strait’s numerous islands and shoals restrict its use to smaller vessels.
  • Instability in northern Sri Lanka has at times affected shipping across the strait to Tamil Nadu state in India.

India And Sri Lanka Deepen Economic Ties

  • In July 2023, India and Sri Lanka decided to initiate discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA).
  • The ECTA will address both tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as investment regulations.
  • During Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India, the two countries also proposed collaborations in power, digital payments, connectivity, and green energy.
  • They agreed to put into operation India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for easier cross-border digital payments.
  • Both nations revealed plans to set up power grid connectivity, which may spur electricity trading in the region.
  • A decision was also made to restart passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka.
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