In a historic move, a passenger boat service between India’s Nagapattinam and Sri Lanka’s Kankasanturai has been resumed after more than four decades. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed this event as a significant day in Indo-Lankan relations, bringing the hearts of both countries closer. Operated by the Indian Shipping Corporation, the high-speed boat can accommodate 150 passengers and covers approximately 60 nautical miles (110 km) between Nagapattinam and Kankasanturai in 3.5 hours, depending on sea conditions.
This initiative is a testament to the Modi government’s commitment to the Neighbor First Policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. The resumption of this boat service is expected to strengthen historical, cultural, and economic ties between the two nations. The initiative aligns with the broader vision of enhancing connectivity, trade, tourism, and people-to-people ties. The Indian government aims to expand this vision of connectivity beyond transportation, focusing on various sectors such as financial services technology and energy.
This move follows the resumption of direct flights between Chennai and Jaffna in December 2022, marking another significant milestone in strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka.