India Calling forum set to unlock bilateral trade and investment barriers as the Lanka India Business Association (LIBA) prepares to host a high-profile corporate forum aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Sri Lanka and India through dialogue, investment, and private sector collaboration.
India Calling forum set to unlock bilateral trade and investment barriers in Colombo
Scheduled for 6 August at the Taj Samudra, Colombo, the full-day event will bring together policymakers, business leaders, economists, diplomats, academics, and media professionals to discuss opportunities for expanding cross-border trade and investment while addressing long-standing regulatory and commercial challenges.
Organised by the Lanka India Business Association, the forum is designed to move bilateral engagement beyond policy discussions and towards practical business partnerships. The event comes as Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery and seeks stronger regional integration, with India remaining one of its most significant trading and investment partners.
According to LIBA, the forum aims to create meaningful dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders while identifying practical solutions to improve Sri Lanka India trade. Discussions will focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles, encouraging investment flows, and building stronger commercial links that benefit businesses in both countries.
A key attraction of the event will be its distinguished lineup of speakers from India, representing economics, foreign policy, business, media, and cultural thought leadership.
Former Deputy Chairman of India’s Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, will deliver insights into India’s economic transformation and discuss structural reforms that could offer valuable lessons for Sri Lanka as it pursues sustainable economic growth. Widely recognised as one of the architects of India’s 1991 economic reforms, Ahluwalia is expected to highlight policy approaches that have strengthened India’s competitiveness over the past three decades.
Leading foreign policy expert Professor C. Raja Mohan will examine the geopolitical importance of deeper regional economic cooperation, presenting shared prosperity as a foundation for long-term stability across South Asia.
Adding a different perspective, author and corporate consultant Devdutt Pattanaik will explore how cultural narratives influence consumer behaviour and business decision-making through his presentation on the “Monsoon Market Myth.” His session is expected to provide businesses with insights into regional market dynamics beyond conventional economic analysis.
The forum will also feature prominent voices from India’s media industry, including Asian News International (ANI) Editor-in-Chief Smita Prakash and WION Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, both of whom bring extensive experience covering politics, diplomacy, and international affairs.
Beyond keynote presentations, the programme will include panel discussions featuring corporate lawyers, former ambassadors, political leaders, business executives, policy analysts, and think-tank experts from both countries. The discussions are expected to examine investment opportunities, trade facilitation, regulatory reforms, and strategies for improving cross-border commercial cooperation.
Special attention will also be given to the role of young entrepreneurs and professionals in advancing regional integration. Organisers believe that stronger engagement between emerging business leaders can help shape future partnerships while encouraging innovation and long-term economic collaboration.
The India Calling forum set to unlock bilateral trade and investment barriers reflects growing momentum to strengthen Sri Lanka India trade at a time when both countries are exploring new opportunities in investment, logistics, technology, manufacturing, and services. By bringing together decision-makers from government and industry, LIBA hopes to establish a stronger framework for private sector-led economic cooperation.
With limited tickets available, organisers expect significant interest from corporate executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking to better understand the evolving economic relationship between Sri Lanka and India. The Lanka India Business Association says the forum represents an important platform for identifying practical pathways to remove barriers, encourage investment, and promote shared prosperity across the region.