India Sri Lanka Relations

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

• India sent written financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming the first bilateral creditor of the island nation to officially support its crucial debt restructure programme after last year’s economic meltdown.
• A bilateral agreement between India and Sri Lanka on raising the limit of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) was also signed during the India’s External Affairs Minister’s Visit.

Significance of India’s Financing Assurance

• The International Monetary Fund’s provisional USD 2.9 billion package to Sri Lanka will be cleared only after  Sri Lanka’s official creditors — China, Japan and India — have provided adequate financing assurances.
• The decision of financing assurance was also a reassertion of India’s belief in the principle of  “neighborhood first””, and not leaving a partner to fend for themselves.

How are India’s Relations with Sri Lanka?

• About:
  • India and Sri Lanka are two South Asian nations situated in the Indian Ocean region. Geographically, Sri Lanka is located just off the southern coast of India, separated by the Palk Strait.
    • This proximity has played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the two countries.
  • The Indian Ocean is a strategically important waterway for trade and military operations, and Sri Lanka’s location at the crossroads of major shipping lanes makes it a critical point of control for India.
• Relations:
  • Historical Ties:India and Sri Lanka have a long history of cultural, religious, and trade ties dating back to ancient times.
    • There are strong cultural ties between the two countries, with many Sri Lankans tracing their heritage to India. Buddhism,  which originated in India, is also an important religion in Sri Lanka.
  • Economic ties:India is Sri Lanka’s third largest export destination, after the US and UK. More than 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports enjoy the benefits of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. India is also a major investor in Sri Lanka.
    • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)from India amounted to around USD 1.7 billion over the years from 2005 to 2019.
  • Defence:India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (Mitra Shakti)  and Naval exercise (SLINEX). 
• Issues in India-Sri Lanka Relations:
• Killing of Fishermen:Killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy is a lingering issue between these two nations.
  • In 2019 and 2020, a total of 284 Indian fishermen were arrested and a total of 53 Indian boats were confiscated by the Sri Lankan authorities.
• Influence of China:   China’s rapidly growing economic footprint (and political clout as a corollary) in Sri Lanka is straining India-Sri Lanka relations.

• China is already the largest investor in Sri Lanka, accounting for 23.6% of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during 2010-2019 as against 10.4% from India.
  • 13^thAmendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution: It envisages devolution of necessary powers to the provincial councils to address the just demand of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a united Sri Lanka.
    • India supports its implementation but the Sri Lankan government is yet to “fully implement” the 13^th

Conclusion

• India, which has followed the “Neighbourhood First policy” to cement bonds with its neighbours, can walk that extra mile to help Sri Lanka out of the current crisis and help Sri Lanka towards realising its potential, to reap the rewards of a stable, friendly neighbourhood.