Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan explore oil and gas cooperation alongside broader trade, investment and tourism ties during Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s visit to Baku for the CICA summit.
Sri Lanka and Azerbaijan are exploring opportunities to strengthen energy cooperation, particularly in oil and gas supplies, as the two countries seek to expand their economic and diplomatic ties. The discussions took place between Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku on the sidelines of the seventh summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), held on October 14-15, 2026.
The talks covered a range of areas, including trade, investment, tourism and energy. Oil and gas cooperation received particular attention as Sri Lanka looks to broaden its international energy partnerships and explore additional sources of supply.
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Herath is leading Sri Lanka’s delegation to the CICA summit, which is being held under the theme “Stronger CICA: Connectivity, Digitalisation and Sustainable Growth in Asia.” He is scheduled to deliver the country’s national statement during the gathering.
During his visit, Herath also held discussions with Rovshan Najaf, president of Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company (SOCAR). The meeting examined prospects for cooperation between SOCAR and Sri Lankan companies, with the minister receiving information about Azerbaijan’s international energy projects, diversified operations and long-term strategic plans.
Beyond energy, the Sri Lankan delegation is expected to hold bilateral meetings with representatives from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, alongside Azerbaijani officials and the CICA secretary-general. These engagements aim to identify opportunities for stronger trade, investment and diplomatic relations, particularly with Central Asian economies.
CICA provides a regional platform for Asian countries to discuss cooperation, connectivity, peace, security and stability. Sri Lanka’s participation in the summit reflects its efforts to deepen regional engagement and develop new economic partnerships.
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Although the discussions signal interest in closer energy ties, the reports do not announce a final oil or gas supply agreement. Any future deal will depend on further negotiations and the terms agreed by the two countries and relevant energy companies.