After call with Trump, PM Modi discusses energy crisis with Sri Lanka President amid US-Iran war

Taking to X, PM Modi stated that his phone call with the Sri Lankan leader focused on the global energy crisis due to the West Asia conflict.

Published on: Mar 24, 2026, 22:28:55 IST

Edited by Danita Yadav

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Shortly after a phone call with US President Donald Trump over the escalating conflict with Iran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the energy crisis brought on by the US-Iran war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the energy crisis brought on by the US-Iran war. (PMO)

Taking to X, PM Modi stated that his phone call with the Sri Lankan leader focused on the global energy crisis due to the West Asia conflict.

Also Read | Trump dials Modi amid Iran thaw; they discuss peace efforts, Hormuz Strait reopening

“We reviewed progress on key initiatives aimed at strengthening India-Sri Lanka energy cooperation and enhancing regional security. As close and trusted partners, we reaffirmed our commitment to work closely together in addressing shared challenges,” he added further on X.

Lights out in Sri Lanka amid energy crisis

Amid the energy supply crisis triggered by the outbreak of the US-Iran war, Sri Lanka has ordered street lights, neon signs and billboard lighting to be switched off from Tuesday.

This order comes as part of the island nation's measures to cut energy consumption by 25 percent to tackle supply shortages.

Government spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said all state institutions have also been asked to reduce the use of air conditioning.

"We hope the private sector too will abide by the guidelines drafted by a panel of experts," the spokesperson told reporters on Tuesday.

Due to the disruption caused in global energy supplies, Sri Lanka has also raised its fuel prices by a third.

Colombo has also introduced a four-day work week after it brought back work-from-home arrangements last week in order to reduce pressure on the transport network.

Sri Lanka also played a key role after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was torpedoed by the US in the Indian Ocean on March 4 while the ship was in international waters after returning from a military exercise in India.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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