Recently, the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held bilateral talks with India’s Prime Minister on his three day visit to India.
More on the News
- Political Significance of Visit: This shows the strength of India Sri Lanka relations as it is Mr. Dissanayake’s first foreign trip after assuming charge as the President.
- Joint Statement: The Ministry of External Affairs has released the “ India – Sri Lanka Joint Statement: Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.”
Enroll now for UPSC Online Course
13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution
- Purpose: Enacted in 1987 under the India-Sri Lanka Accord, it aimed to resolve Tamil grievances through devolution of power to Provincial Councils.
- Key Provisions: Introduced Provincial Councils, Tamil as an official language, and devolved powers like education, health, and agriculture.
- India’s Stand: Advocates for full implementation of the amendment to ensure Tamil rights and meaningful devolution as part of reconciliation efforts.
- Issues: Resistance from Sri Lankan governments to devolve land and police powers, citing national security concerns, hinders the amendment’s potential.
|
Key Outcomes of the Visit
- This meeting strengthened Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
- It would help in containing China’s attempts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean.
- Example: The docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang’ at Hambantota port.
- Development Cooperation
- Example: Projects such as Phase III & IV of Indian Housing Project, 3 Islands Hybrid Renewable Energy Project and High Impact Community Development Projects across Sri Lanka
- Political Exchanges
- Underscored the importance of regular parliamentary level exchanges to promote democratic values
- Training and Capacity Building
- Agreed to organise focused training of 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants across ministries and departments over a period of five years through the
- Debt Restructuring
- Emergency financing and forex support worth USD 4 billion by India to stabilise Srilankan economy.
- Cultural and Tourism Development
- Successful resumption of flights between Chennai and Jaffna.
- Strategic & Defence Cooperation
- Provision of a Dornier Aircraft for maritime surveillance to Sri Lanka
- Discussion over issue of Tamil minorities
- India expects to implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka to hold provincial council elections.
- Concerns of fishermen were discussed
- Acknowledging the issues faced by fishermen on both sides and factoring the livelihood concerns, the leaders agreed on the need to continue to address these in a humanitarian manner.
- Progress in Digital Infrastructure
- Expediting implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project, promotes digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries.
- Energy Cooperation
- India and Sri Lanka will establish electricity grid connectivity and a multi-product petroleum pipeline that will further boost investment and commercial links between the nations.
- Implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka.
- Strengthening Cultural Ties via Tourism
- Discussed the Ramayana circuit and the Buddhist circuit for tourism in each other’s countries.
- Announced a ferry service between Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to boost connectivity between the two nations.
India’s Role in Sri Lanka’s Recent Economic Crisis
- Humanitarian Assistance and Financial Support:
- In response to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis (2022), India extended $4 billion in aid, including credit lines for fuel, food, and essential goods.
- India provided fuel shipments, easing Sri Lanka’s acute energy shortages, and facilitated imports of medicine and food supplies to meet the urgent needs of the population.
- Loan Assistance and Debt Relief:
- India extended short-term loans to help Sri Lanka stabilize its foreign reserves.
- India also played a key role in facilitating negotiations with the IMF to support Srilanka.
|
Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store
India-Srilanka: Various Facets of Bilateral Cooperation
- Historical Background Cultural and Ethnic Ties: India and Sri Lanka share deep-rooted historical connections.
-
- Example: via Buddhism, Hinduism, and ancient trade relations.
- Colonial and Post-Colonial Period: During the colonial era, the two countries saw economic exchanges.
- Shared values of democracy and regional cooperation.
- Economic:
- Bilateral Trade: India-Sri Lanka trade stood at $5.45 billion in FY 2022-23, with India exporting goods worth $4.9 billion, including petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and food items.
- Key Investments: India is among Sri Lanka’s top investors, with companies like IOC, Tata, and Airtel contributing to infrastructure, retail, and energy sectors.
- Crisis Support: During Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, India extended over $4 billion in credit lines and aid for essential imports, showcasing strong economic ties.
- Cooperation in Multilateral Groupings: SAARC, BIMSTEC
- India and Sri Lanka cooperate in regional forums like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to promote regional stability, trade, and development.
- Example: Sri Lanka actively participated in India-led initiatives for pandemic response and disaster management through these platforms.
- Strategic Importance of Sri Lanka for India
- Indian Ocean Security: Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean makes it strategically vital for India, especially concerning maritime security and countering China’s growing presence in the region.
- Example: The Hambantota Port lease to China raised concerns in India.
- Defence Cooperation
- Both nations agreed to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges.
UN Resolution on Sri Lanka:
- In response to the Sri Lankan civil war’s final stages, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed resolutions calling for accountability and investigations into alleged war crimes by Sri Lankan forces.
- India supported UN resolutions but pushed for a more balanced approach to ensure Sri Lanka’s sovereignty while calling for credible investigations and reconciliation, avoiding any actions that could exacerbate tensions.
India’s Evolving Stand (Post-2015):
- After Sri Lanka’s new government (2015) under President Maithripala Sirisena, India backed the resolution for a domestic investigation into alleged war crimes, offering support for Sri Lanka’s efforts toward reconciliation and post-war healing.
- India has continued to urge the full implementation of the 13th Amendment and political devolution to Tamils while maintaining a position of respecting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in UN debates.
|
Challenges in India-Sri Lanka Relations
- Katchatheevu Island Dispute:
- Indian fishermen often face arrests or attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy for alleged poaching in the region.
- Tamil Nadu demands retrieval of Katchatheevu, claiming it historically belonged to India.
- Tamil Issue– India’s Support:
- Advocates for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to ensure Tamil autonomy through Provincial Councils.
- Docking of Chinese Vessels:
- Chinese military and research vessels, like Yuan Wang 5, docking in Colombo or Hambantota ports raise security concerns for India.
- Debt Diplomacy:
- Sri Lanka’s reliance on Chinese loans for infrastructure projects like Hambantota Port has led to Chinese control of strategic assets, challenging India’s regional interests.
Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes
Path Ahead for the India-Sri Lanka relations
- Deepen Economic Integration
- Finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost bilateral trade and investment.
- Resolve Fishermen Disputes
- Develop a robust monitoring mechanism and encourage alternative livelihoods.
- Tackle Strategic Challenges
- Strengthen maritime partnerships to counterbalance Chinese influence.
- Promote Tamil Reconciliation
- Collaborate with Sri Lanka to expedite the devolution process and improve living standards for Tamils in the Northern Province.
- Sustainable Energy Cooperation
- Expand renewable energy projects, especially in solar and wind, to ensure mutual benefits.
- Neighbourhood First Policy of India
- Being one of the closest neighbours of India, Srilanka plays a pivotal role in strengthening our geostrategic stance.
Conclusion
India-Sri Lanka relations, shaped by history and geography, offer immense potential for cooperation across economic, cultural, and strategic dimensions. Addressing challenges through a balanced and inclusive approach will ensure a strong partnership in the Indian Ocean Region.
Additional Reading: PW OnlyIAS
December 17, 2024
