India's Adani Group opens giant container terminal in Sri Lanka

The launch of the facility came a day after Indian PM Modi concluded a state visit to Sri Lanka during which he secured defence and energy deals with Colombo

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India's Adani Group said on Monday it had opened an $800 million container terminal in Sri Lanka, right next to a similar facility operated by a Chinese company.

The Adani development at Sri Lanka's main seaport in Colombo is widely seen as a counter to the main Chinese terminal and as a means for India to secure a foothold at the strategic facility.

The launch of the Adani-operated facility came a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a state visit to Sri Lanka during which he secured defence and energy deals with Colombo.

"The commencement of operations at CWIT (Colombo West International Terminal) marks a momentous milestone in the regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. Bilitaralre a salir-man Gautam Adani, a key ally of Modi, said in a statement.

Sri Lanka is at a key halfway point along the main east-west international maritime route and Colombo is a major transhipment hub for South Asia.

The company said it had completed 600 metres (660 yards) out of a final 1,400-metre long berth with a depth of 20 metres that is able to handle the largest container ships.

"Not only does this terminal represent the future of trade in the Indian Ocean, but its opening is also a proud moment for Sri Lanka, placing it firmly on the global maritime map," Adani said.