{"id":161346,"date":"2025-04-07T19:37:56","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T14:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&p=161346"},"modified":"2025-04-07T19:37:56","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T14:07:56","slug":"india-and-sri-lanka-bilateral-relations","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/india-and-sri-lanka-bilateral-relations","title":{"rendered":"India and Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations"},"content":{"rendered":"

India and Sri Lanka<\/b> further deepened their ties as <\/span>Prime Minister Narendra Modi<\/b> received a grand welcome in Colombo, becoming the <\/span>first foreign leader hosted by the newly formed Dissanayake government.<\/b><\/p>\n

Key Outcomes and Agreements Of The Visit<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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  • Defence pact signed: <\/b>Strengthens collaboration through the <\/span>Colombo Security Conclave<\/b> and enhanced security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Assurance from Sri Lanka:<\/b> Srilanka reaffirmed that <\/span>its territory will not be used against India\u2019s security interests<\/b>, boosting regional stability.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • India-assisted railway modernisation projects: Maho-Omanthai line (128 km)<\/b> refurbished with $91.27 million Indian assistance.<\/span>\n
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    • Advanced signalling system from<\/span> Maho to Anuradhapura,<\/b> funded by a<\/span> $14.89 million Indian grant.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Trincomalee Energy Hub Development: <\/b>Multi-product pipeline and port energy infrastructure to be jointly developed.<\/span>\n
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      • Grid interconnectivity agreement signed<\/b>, allowing electricity trade between India and Sri Lanka.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Sampur Solar Power Project:<\/b> Virtually inaugurated by both leaders, contributing to Sri Lanka\u2019s clean energy goals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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        Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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        • About:<\/b> The CSC is a <\/span>regional security grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius, with Seychelles as an observer.<\/b><\/span>\n
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          • Its core objective is to <\/span>strengthen regional security<\/b> by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • Origin: <\/b>CSC began in <\/span>2011<\/b> as the <\/span>Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation <\/b>involving<\/span> India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka.<\/b><\/span>\n
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            • It became<\/span> inactive after 2014 due to India-Maldives tensions.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n
            • The initiative was <\/span>revived and rebranded as the Colombo Security Conclave in 2020.<\/b><\/span><\/li>\n
            • Mauritius joined during the revival, followed by the inclusion of Bangladesh.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Structure: <\/b>The CSC operates through regular meetings of National Security Advisors (NSAs) and Deputy NSAs of member countries.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
            • Secretariat: <\/b>A Permanent Secretariat has been established in <\/span>Colombo, Sri Lanka<\/b>, to coordinate activities.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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              • Debt restructuring agreement concluded between India and Sri Lanka: Over $100 million worth of Indian loans converted to grants.<\/b><\/li>\n
              • Interest rates reduced on Indian loans to ease Colombo\u2019s repayment burden.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Digital Identity Project:<\/b> India provided<\/span> \u20b9300 crore grant<\/b> to support Sri Lanka\u2019s <\/span>Digital Identity Project.<\/b><\/li>\n
              • Special aid package for Eastern Sri Lanka: <\/b>India to provide<\/span> LKR 2.4 billion (~INR 66 crore)<\/b> to support social and economic development in Eastern Provinces.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Visit to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi shrine in Anuradhapura: <\/b>PM Modi and President Dissanayake jointly offered prayers at the <\/span>sacred Mahabodhi tree<\/b>, symbolising deep civilisational ties.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Prime Minister Modi was awarded the Mitra Vibhushana: It is Sri Lanka\u2019s highest civilian honour for a foreign head of state<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Conferred for India\u2019s support through terror attacks (2019), COVID-19, and the economic crisis.<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Fishermen & Maritime Issues:<\/b> Joint commitment to a humane approach on fishermen’s arrests and boat seizures. Sri Lanka requested India\u2019s help to end bottom trawling, which causes irreversible ecological damage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Significance of this Visit<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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                • Sign of Priority: <\/b>President Dissanayake chose India for his first foreign visit, and now Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign leader to visit Sri Lanka under Dissanayake\u2019s presidency.<\/span>\n
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                  • This signals<\/span> mutual diplomatic priority <\/b>and <\/span>renewed commitment<\/b> to regional closeness under <\/span>India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                  • Strengthening Bilateral Security: <\/b>The 2025 Defence Memorandum of Understanding formalizes India-Sri Lanka security cooperation, representing <\/span>a strategic move to enhance regional stability and counter growing Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region.<\/b><\/li>\n
                  • Strategic Reassurance to India: <\/b>Sri Lanka\u2019s commitment to ensuring that its territory and surrounding waters are not used against India\u2019s interests directly alleviates India\u2019s concerns over increasing Chinese maritime presence, <\/span>particularly around the Hambantota Port<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Recognition of India\u2019s Support:<\/b> Conferment of<\/span> \u2018Mitra Vibhushana award<\/b>\u2019 acknowledges India\u2019s consistent support and cultural affinity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Historical Ties Between India and Sri Lanka<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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                    • Ancient Cultural Links:<\/b> The relationship dates back over 2,500 years, with <\/span>Buddhism introduced to Sri Lanka by Emperor Ashoka\u2019s son Mahinda<\/b> in the 3rd century BCE, forming deep religious and cultural bonds.<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Chola Influence: <\/b>South India\u2019s <\/span>Chola dynasty invaded Sri Lanka <\/b>in the 10th century CE, leaving a lasting legacy in art, architecture, and language.<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Post-Colonial Cooperation: <\/b>Both nations gained independence from British rule around the same time i.e. <\/span>India in 1947 and Sri Lanka in 1948<\/b> and<\/span> India aiding Sri Lanka in building democratic institutions.<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Ethnic Conflict and IPKF: <\/b>India played a key role during Sri Lanka\u2019s civil war, signing the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord to support Tamil rights through the 13th Amendment and <\/span>deploying the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF).<\/b><\/li>\n
                    • Impact of Rajiv Gandhi\u2019s Assassination: <\/b>The assassination by the <\/span>Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)<\/b> in 1991 marked a turning point in India\u2019s policy, leading to a more cautious approach.<\/span><\/li>\n
                    • Post-War Phase: <\/b>After the civil war ended in 2009,<\/span> India has continued to support reconciliation and development in Sri Lanka.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Significance of Sri Lanka To India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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                      • Strategic Geopolitical Location: <\/b>Sri Lanka lies <\/span>close to the southern tip of India<\/b> in the Indian Ocean, making it a <\/span>vital neighbor for India<\/b> in ensuring <\/span>regional security and stability.<\/b>\n
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                        • It occupies a central place in India’s <\/span>‘Neighbourhood First’ policy <\/b>and <\/span>Security and growth for all in the region (S.A.G.A.R) vision.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                        • Maritime Security Partner: <\/b>Located <\/span>near key maritime chokepoints like the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar<\/b>, Sri Lanka plays a crucial role in safeguarding India\u2019s maritime interests and sea lanes.<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Cultural and Historical Bonds: <\/b>India and Sri Lanka share centuries-old<\/span> cultural, religious, and historical ties<\/b>, strengthening diplomatic relations and fostering people-to-people connections.<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Energy Security and Connectivity: <\/b>Sri Lanka is important <\/span>for India\u2019s energy strategy<\/b>, offering opportunities for regional energy cooperation, including renewable energy initiatives and cross-border power links.<\/span><\/li>\n
                        • Regional Influence in South Asia: <\/b>As key players in South Asia, India and Sri Lanka\u2019s cooperation <\/span>can shape regional dynamics,<\/b> promoting peace, stability, and development across the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                          <\/p>\n\n\n\n
                          Multilateral Organisations<\/b> where <\/span>India and Sri Lanka<\/b> are both members:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n