India-Sri Lanka Relations

IN NEWS:

• Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary has said that they will adopt an “India first approach” as its new foreign policy plank and protect New Delhi’s strategic security interests.

SRI LANKA:

• Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte is its legislative capital, and Colombo is its largest city and centre of commerce.
• Sri Lanka lies on the Indian Plate and is geographically separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.
• The island was under British rule since 1815. Independence was granted in 1948 but the country remained a Dominion of the British Empire until 1972.
• In 1972 Sri Lanka assumed the status of a Republic. Sri Lanka's current constitution stipulates it as a republic and unitary state governed by a semi-presidential system.

INDIA & SRI LANKA:

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old. Both countries have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction.

• Commercial relations: Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the signing of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000. The main items of exports from Sri Lanka to India are Poultry feeds, Areca nuts, paper and alabaster. Main items of Imports from India to Sri Lanka are petroleum, automobiles, Pharmaceuticals and construction materials.
• Political relations: Diplomatic engagements between India and Sri Lanka have evolved over decades – going from interventionism between 1983-1989 to distancing with displeasure between 1990-2014 to cordial post-2015. During the terrorist conflict, India supported Sri Lanka and at international fora, India has mostly stood alongside Sri Lanka which has reciprocated the same.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: Over the years, the two sides have steadily increased their military cooperation. They conduct joint Military ('Mitra Shakti') and Naval exercise (SLINEX). India also provides defence equipment and training to Sri Lankan forces.
• Development Cooperation: Sri Lanka is a major recipients of development assistance from India. India’s overall commitment stands close to US$ 3 billion, out of which around US$ 560 million are purely in grants. India assists in projects in areas of education, health, housing, transport connectivity, small and medium enterprise development and training across the country under grant assistance.
• Cultural relations: The Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed by the two Governments in November, 1977, forms the basis for periodic Cultural Exchange Programmes between the two countries. The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in Indian music, dance, Hindi and Yoga.
• People to people contact: Indian Origin Tamils (IOTs) form an important part of Lanka’s demographics. The population of IOTs is about 1.6 million. Besides this, unofficial statistics estimates that around 14,000 Indian expatriates are living in Sri Lanka, mostly engaged in various business ventures.
• Human resource development: India offers scholarships annually to Sri Lankan students. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Scheme and the Colombo Plan, India offers 400 slots annually to Sri Lankan nationals for training courses in technical and professional disciplines.
• Fishermen issue: Both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements to deal with the issue of bona fide fishermen of either side crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line.

WHY SRI LANKA IS ESSENTIAL FOR INDIA:

• Maritime security: Sri Lanka is geographically positioned near the major chokepoints- the Gulf of Aden, Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca. Sri Lanka also has a list of highly strategic ports located among busiest sea lanes of communication. Thus, a strong presence in the island has broad strategic significance for countering piracy and ensuring smooth global maritime trade.
• Countering Chinese presence: China’s strategic interests over India have prompted it to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean through strategies such as the ‘String of Pearl’. One of its key strongholds is the Hambantota port in Sri lanka. However, a strong relationship with Sri Lanka can help India counter such strategies.
• Counter terrorism: In April 2019, the island nation was rocked by a series of coordinated Islamic terrorist suicide bombings. The presence of such radical elements in the country could serve as a potential launch pad for terrorists targeting India.
• Economic: Sri Lanka is one of India’s largest trading partner in SAARC. The deepwater trans-shipment hubs in Sri lanka are vital for India’s sea trade. Sri Lanka also has an intrinsic role in advancing blue economy through sustainable management and utilization of marine resources.
• Cooperate in international fora: Since Sri Lanka is an important member of SAARC, it is important for India to have Sri Lanka on board to maintain its leadership in the region. Also, Sri Lanka’s favorable stand in developments relating to Jammu and Kashmir and Article 370 are advantageous for India.
• Diaspora: Both regions share a strong ethnic and cultural relation since the ancient times. This continues today, in the form of tourism circuits, Buddhist pilgrimage and other cultural exchanges.

CHALLENGES:

• 13th amendment of constitution: The current Rajapaksa government has made no commitment on how the amendment will be implemented, and stated that certain areas of 13th amendment cannot be implemented. However, India has always emphasised on a meaningful devolution package based on the 13th Amendment.
• Chinese investments: China’s deep pockets are evident in the number of projects in Sri Lanka, including investments in the Colombo International Financial Center, Colombo-Kandy highway, oil refineries, and a $1.4 billion port city next to the Colombo port.
• Chinese Debt trap: Currently, the island state owes a large debt to China. This forced the country to make major concessions over Hambantota: it was forced to sign a 99-year lease with China for the port after it was unable to repay loans to develop the project.
• Pro-China government: The earlier Rajapaksa governments were seen as being sympathetic to China. While the current government had spoken of an “India first” policy, it needs to be seen how it will evolve into reality.
• SAARC vs. BIMSTEC: Sri Lanka wants to see cooperation and progress in SAARC, whereas India believes that all efforts to strengthen regional cooperation should be channeled to the BIMSTEC.
• Tamilian issue: India has always been sympathetic to the needs of sri lankan Tamils. This stand has forced India’s to move against Sri lanka in the UNHRC in matters related to war crimes.  
• Constitutional instability: Sri Lanka's constitution has been changed 19 times from 1978, creating a lot of uncertainties and confusion.
• Environmental concerns: Unsustainable fishing, rising sea levels and climate change will put the island nation further at risk of endangering its relative prosperity. In order to protect the islands, they need strong investments and it needs to be seen if India can cater to this demand.

WAY FORWARD:

• Strengthen ties: Since the 2019 election, India has moved quickly with development projects and other assistance to draw Sri lank back into India's fold. Now India has to ensure the timely completion of these projects and reassure its position as a reliable ally.
• Economic support: New Delhi’s economic outreach, like the line of credit is key to helping Sri lanka break free of Beijing’s “debt-for-leverage” model of diplomacy.  Also, to deepen its engagement with the Sri Lankan economy, India needs to encourage its private sector enterprises (such as telecom) to invest in the region.
• Resolve fishermen issues efficiently: India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue. They need to be more proactive in dealing with the issue of detention of fishermen in a humane manner.
• Security cooperation: Both countries should strengthen cooperation in areas of counter-terrorism, counter-radicalisation and drug trafficking, through measures like regular intelligence sharing and frequent joint security exercises.  India must also push for reconciliation efforts for the Tamils while remaining sensitive to Lanka’s security concerns
• Leverage on soft diplomacy: India must employ its cultural aspects like diaspora, films, music, and people to people interaction to strengthen relations with Sri Lanka.
• Sustainable development: India is a global frontrunner in the efforts towards sustainable development and countering climate change. India can help the Sri Lanka adapt to climate change through deepen engagements in renewable energy, sustainable fishing and coastal area management.
• Strategic cooperation: India has agreements with countries like U.S. and France to use their naval facilities in Djibouti, Diego Garcia etc, if required. In this line, India should explore the possibilities of closer cooperation with countries like Australia and African nations to further counter the Chinese growth in Indian Ocean.

India can never match Beijing’s economic wherewithal to make a difference to Colombo’s developmental requirements. But it can carve out a niche role in some areas and also partner smartly with likeminded strategic partners like Japan to make an economic and strategic difference in Sri Lanka.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q. Despite long standing issues, recent events offer a fresh opportunity for India and Sri Lanka to enhance bilateral engagement. Discuss?