India and Sri Lanka, two neighboring nations in the Indian Ocean region, share a bond that transcends history. Located just off the southern coast of India, Sri Lanka’s strategic position has played a crucial role in shaping the relationship between the two countries, as both nations recognize the significance of the Indian Ocean as a vital trade route and military thoroughfare.
Historical Ties and Strong Cultural Bonds:
India and Sri Lanka boast a deep-rooted history of cultural, religious, and trade connections dating back to ancient times. The strong cultural ties are evident, with many Sri Lankans tracing their ancestry to India. Buddhism, originating from India, holds significant importance in Sri Lanka as well.
Robust Economic Cooperation:
Economic ties between India and Sri Lanka are robust, with India standing as Sri Lanka’s third-largest export destination after the US and UK. Over 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports benefit from the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. Furthermore, India’s investments in Sri Lanka have amounted to around USD 1.7 billion from 2005 to 2019, highlighting India’s substantial presence in Sri Lanka’s economic landscape.
Defense Collaboration and Regional Partnerships:
India and Sri Lanka actively engage in joint Military and Naval exercises, known as Mitra Shakti and SLINEX, demonstrating their commitment to bolstering security cooperation. Additionally, both countries participate in regional groupings like BIMSTEC and SAARC, where India plays a leading role.
Challenges in the Bilateral Relationship:
Despite the longstanding friendship, some issues persist and require careful handling to maintain harmonious relations.
Killing of Fishermen: The recurring incidents of Indian fishermen being killed by the Sri Lankan Navy have been a point of contention. In recent years, Sri Lankan authorities arrested 284 Indian fishermen and confiscated 53 Indian boats, further escalating the tensions.
China’s Influence: Sri Lanka’s growing economic ties with China have raised concerns for India. China’s increasing investments in Sri Lanka, amounting to 23.6% of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) between 2010 and 2019, compared to 10.4% from India, have heightened India’s wariness about its regional influence.
The 13th Amendment and Power Devolution:
The 13th Amendment, enacted after the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, aimed to resolve Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict that had escalated into a full-fledged civil war. It sought to devolve power to the provinces, creating Provincial Councils and allowing provinces to self-govern on various subjects such as education, health, agriculture, housing, land, and police.
However, challenges emerged as successive Sri Lankan governments have been hesitant to grant full land and police powers to the provinces, leading to unresolved issues since the end of the civil war 14 years ago.
Balancing historical ties, economic cooperation, and regional interests while addressing existing challenges remains a delicate yet essential task for India and Sri Lanka. The need for open communication, mutual understanding, and cooperation continues to be crucial in nurturing a strong and enduring partnership between these two South Asian nations.
Source:
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/still-incomplete/article67117031.ece
https://www.jstor.org/stable/45341960
https://dhyeyaias.com/current-affairs/daily-current-affairs/india-sri-lanka-relations
