HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 147 : Model Answer

QUESTION: Discuss about the important facets of India- Sri Lanka relations. (8 marks/ 120 words)

Answer:

India and Sri Lanka have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction and the relationship between two countries is more than 2500 years old.

Cooperation:

Political Relations Political relations between the two countries have been marked by high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals. A USD 15 million grant from India for promotion of bilateral Buddhist ties and an inaugural international flight carrying Sri Lankan pilgrims to the sacred city of Kushinagar. Sri Lanka also joined the National Knowledge Network (NKN), being the first SAARC country to do so. The fourth maritime dialogue under the ‘India- Sri Lanka-Maldives’ trilateral mechanism in 2020. Prime Minister paid tributes to the victims of Easter attacks at St. Anthony’s Church.

Commercial Relations India and Sri Lanka enjoy a vibrant and growing economic and commercial partnership, which has witnessed considerable expansion over the years. The entry into force of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) in 2000 contributed significantly towards the expansion of trade between the two countries. i.e., more than 60% of Sri Lanka’s total exports to India over the past few years have used the ISFTA benefits.

Development Cooperation: Sri Lanka is one of India’s major development partners and this partnership has been an important pillar of bilateral ties between the two countries over the years. The Indian Housing Project, with an initial commitment to build 50,000 houses in war affected areas and estate workers in the plantation areas. The country-wide 1990 Emergency Ambulance Service is another flagship project. There are another 20 ongoing grant projects across diverse spheres which also includes Jaffna Cultural Center.

Cultural relations: India and Sri Lanka have a shared legacy of historical, cultural, religious, spiritual and linguistic ties that is more than 2,500 years old. The Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed by India and Sri Lanka in 1977 at New Delhi forms the basis for periodic Cultural Exchange Programmes between the two countries.

Defence: Since 2012, India participates in Indo-Sri Lankan Defence Dialogue, this platform helps to review the security and defence cooperation issues between the two countries. India-Sri Lanka conduct ‘SLINEX’ a joint naval exercise.

Conflicts:

China: Sri Lanka handed over the strategic port of Hambantota, which is expected to play a key role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, to China on a 99-year lease.

Tamil population– The prolonged conflict between the Sinhala majority and the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka has undermined bilateral ties in recent decades.

Fishermen issue Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the Palk Straits and the Gulf of Mannar, incidents of straying of fishermen are common. India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries for pragmatic solutions.