India-Sri Lanka Friendship: A Partnership for Progress

07 Apr India-Sri Lanka Friendship: A Partnership for Progress

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic. India-Sri Lanka Friendship: A Partnership for Progress

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GS-2-International relations- India-Sri Lanka Friendship: A Partnership for Progress

FOR PRELIMS

What are the major areas of cooperation between India and Sri Lanka?

FOR MAINS

What are the main issues or challenges in India–Sri Lanka relations?

Why in the News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recently awarded the ‘Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana’, the highest civilian honour of Sri Lanka, by President Anura Kumar Dissanayake. The award was presented during PM Modi’s state visit to Sri Lanka, which took place at the invitation of President Dissanayake. The visit was themed “Friendship of Centuries – Commitment to a Prosperous Future”, highlighting the long-standing and deep-rooted ties between the two neighbouring nations. In a social media post, Prime Minister Modi dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and to the enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka. According to MyGov India, this is the Prime Minister’s 22nd international honour, further emphasizing his global recognition and the significance of India’s role in regional diplomacy.

India and Sri Lanka Cooperation in recent years 

Significance of Sri Lanka for India 

1. Strategic Location: Sri Lanka sits near major sea lanes in the Indian Ocean, crucial for India’s maritime security and trade routes.
2. Neighbourhood First Policy: As India’s closest maritime neighbour, Sri Lanka plays a central role in India’s regional outreach and foreign policy priorities.
3. Cultural & Historical Bonds: Deep-rooted civilizational links through Buddhism, language, and heritage strengthen people-to-people and cultural ties.
4. Economic & Trade Partner: A key trade and investment partner; also vital for India’s ambitions of regional economic integration through projects like ETCA.
5. Security & Counter-Terrorism Cooperation: Close collaboration in defence, intelligence sharing, and maritime security under platforms like the Colombo Security Conclave.
6. Connectivity Hub: Central to India’s vision of multi-modal connectivity—land, sea, digital, and energy—linking southern India to Southeast Asia.
7. Influence Balancer in the IOR: Helps India counterbalance China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region and maintain regional stability.

Significance of  India Sri for Lanka 

1. Closest and Time-Tested Partner: India is Sri Lanka’s nearest and most dependable neighbour, with ties rooted in history, culture, and civilizational connections.
2. Economic Lifeline: India is one of Sri Lanka’s largest trade partners and top source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), vital for economic stability.
3. Development Assistance: India has extended over USD 7 billion in assistance, including housing, healthcare, education, transport, and digital infrastructure.
4. Crisis Support Provider: During Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, India was the first responder, providing nearly USD 4 billion in emergency aid and credit.
5. People-to-People Ties & Tourism: India is the largest source of tourists and scholarships and is home to a large Sri Lankan diaspora, enhancing people-level connections.
6. Connectivity & Integration Partner: Through ferry services, digital payments (UPI), power grid proposals, and port development, India aids Sri Lanka’s regional integration.
7. Security and Regional Stability Partner: Defence cooperation, counter-terrorism collaboration, and platforms like the Colombo Security Conclave strengthen Sri Lanka’s security framework.

Areas of Divergence 

1. Fishermen Issue: Frequent arrests of Indian fishermen for allegedly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters remains a long-standing irritant.
2. Ethnic Tamil Issue: India’s consistent support for the rights and reconciliation of Sri Lankan Tamils sometimes leads to sensitivities in Colombo.
3. Geopolitical Tilt towards China: Sri Lanka’s growing strategic and economic engagement with China (e.g., Hambantota Port lease) raises concerns for India.
4. Delay in Indian Projects: Some Indian-funded infrastructure and development projects in Sri Lanka have faced delays due to red tape or political hesitation.
5. Trade Imbalance & ETCA Hesitancy: Sri Lanka’s concerns over trade imbalance and domestic opposition have delayed the finalization of the Economic & Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).
6. Security & Sovereignty Sensitivities: Joint initiatives, especially in ports and energy, sometimes raise sovereignty-related concerns among sections of Sri Lankan society.
7. Political Instability & Policy Inconsistency: Changes in leadership in Sri Lanka sometimes result in inconsistent foreign policy and delays in implementing agreed-upon initiatives.

Ways to Strengthen bilateral ties 

1. Institutionalize High-Level Dialogues: Regular summits, ministerial meetings, and strategic dialogues to maintain policy continuity and address concerns promptly.
2. Speed Up Infrastructure Projects: Fast-track implementation of Indian-funded development and connectivity projects with clear timelines and joint monitoring mechanisms.
3. Resolve the Fishermen Issue Amicably: Establish joint patrolling early warning systems and promote deep-sea fishing alternatives to reduce conflict.
4. Enhance Economic Integration: Finalize ETCA with mutual safeguards, expand trade, and promote cross-investment in priority sectors like tourism, IT, energy, and pharma.
5. Boost People-to-People Exchanges: Increase scholarships, cultural exchanges, direct air links, and religious tourism, especially around Buddhist and Hindu circuits.
6. Strengthen Defence & Security Cooperation: Continue joint exercises (SLINEX, Mitra Shakti), intelligence sharing, and maritime surveillance to address regional threats.
7. Promote Trilateral and Regional Cooperation: Work together in forums like BIMSTEC, IORA, Colombo Security Conclave, and Indian Ocean Rim cooperation to build regional stability.