CURRENT AFFAIRS (22 DECEMBER 2024)
India-Sri Lanka Relations
Recently, the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held bilateral talks with India’s Prime Minister on his three day visit to India.
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- Political Significance of Visit: This shows the strength of India Sri Lanka relations as it is Mr. Dissanayake’s first foreign trip after assuming charge as the President.
- Joint Statement: The Ministry of External Affairs has released the “ India – Sri Lanka Joint Statement: Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future.”
13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution
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Key Outcomes of the Visit
- This meeting strengthened Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.
- It would help in containing China’s attempts to increase its military presence in the Indian Ocean.
- Example: The docking of the Chinese missile and satellite tracking ship ‘Yuan Wang’ at Hambantota port.
- Development Cooperation
- Example: Projects such as Phase III & IV of Indian Housing Project, 3 Islands Hybrid Renewable Energy Project and High Impact Community Development Projects across Sri Lanka
- Political Exchanges
- Underscored the importance of regular parliamentary level exchanges to promote democratic values
- Training and Capacity Building
- Agreed to organise focused training of 1500 Sri Lankan civil servants across ministries and departments over a period of five years through the
- Debt Restructuring
- Emergency financing and forex support worth USD 4 billion by India to stabilise Srilankan economy.
- Cultural and Tourism Development
- Successful resumption of flights between Chennai and Jaffna.
- Strategic & Defence Cooperation
- Provision of a Dornier Aircraft for maritime surveillance to Sri Lanka
- Discussion over issue of Tamil minorities
- India expects to implement the Constitution of Sri Lanka to hold provincial council elections.
- Concerns of fishermen were discussed
- Acknowledging the issues faced by fishermen on both sides and factoring the livelihood concerns, the leaders agreed on the need to continue to address these in a humanitarian manner.
- Progress in Digital Infrastructure
- Expediting implementation of Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) project, promotes digital financial transactions by extending the use of UPI digital payments for the benefit of both countries.
- Energy Cooperation
- India and Sri Lanka will establish electricity grid connectivity and a multi-product petroleum pipeline that will further boost investment and commercial links between the nations.
- Implementation of the solar power project in Sampur and further augment its capacity as per the requirements of Sri Lanka.
- Strengthening Cultural Ties via Tourism
- Discussed the Ramayana circuit and the Buddhist circuit for tourism in each other’s countries.
- Announced a ferry service between Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to boost connectivity between the two nations.
India’s Role in Sri Lanka’s Recent Economic Crisis
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India-Srilanka: Various Facets of Bilateral Cooperation
- Historical Background Cultural and Ethnic Ties: India and Sri Lanka share deep-rooted historical connections.
- Example: via Buddhism, Hinduism, and ancient trade relations.
- Colonial and Post-Colonial Period: During the colonial era, the two countries saw economic exchanges.
- Shared values of democracy and regional cooperation.
- Economic:
- Bilateral Trade: India-Sri Lanka trade stood at $5.45 billion in FY 2022-23, with India exporting goods worth $4.9 billion, including petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and food items.
- Key Investments: India is among Sri Lanka’s top investors, with companies like IOC, Tata, and Airtel contributing to infrastructure, retail, and energy sectors.
- Crisis Support: During Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, India extended over $4 billion in credit lines and aid for essential imports, showcasing strong economic ties.
- Cooperation in Multilateral Groupings: SAARC, BIMSTEC
- India and Sri Lanka cooperate in regional forums like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) to promote regional stability, trade, and development.
- Example: Sri Lanka actively participated in India-led initiatives for pandemic response and disaster management through these platforms.
- Strategic Importance of Sri Lanka for India
- Indian Ocean Security: Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean makes it strategically vital for India, especially concerning maritime security and countering China’s growing presence in the region.
- Example: The Hambantota Port lease to China raised concerns in India.
- Defence Cooperation
- Both nations agreed to explore the possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation through joint exercises, maritime surveillance, and defence dialogue and exchanges.
UN Resolution on Sri Lanka:
India’s Evolving Stand (Post-2015):
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Challenges in India-Sri Lanka Relations
- Katchatheevu Island Dispute:
- Indian fishermen often face arrests or attacks by the Sri Lankan Navy for alleged poaching in the region.
- Tamil Nadu demands retrieval of Katchatheevu, claiming it historically belonged to India.
- Tamil Issue– India’s Support:
- Advocates for the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to ensure Tamil autonomy through Provincial Councils.
- Docking of Chinese Vessels:
- Chinese military and research vessels, like Yuan Wang 5, docking in Colombo or Hambantota ports raise security concerns for India.
- Debt Diplomacy:
- Sri Lanka’s reliance on Chinese loans for infrastructure projects like Hambantota Port has led to Chinese control of strategic assets, challenging India’s regional interests.
Path Ahead for the India-Sri Lanka relations
- Deepen Economic Integration
- Finalize the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to boost bilateral trade and investment.
- Resolve Fishermen Disputes
- Develop a robust monitoring mechanism and encourage alternative livelihoods.
- Tackle Strategic Challenges
- Strengthen maritime partnerships to counterbalance Chinese influence.
- Promote Tamil Reconciliation
- Collaborate with Sri Lanka to expedite the devolution process and improve living standards for Tamils in the Northern Province.
- Sustainable Energy Cooperation
- Expand renewable energy projects, especially in solar and wind, to ensure mutual benefits.
- Neighbourhood First Policy of India
- Being one of the closest neighbours of India, Srilanka plays a pivotal role in strengthening our geostrategic stance.
Conclusion
India-Sri Lanka relations, shaped by history and geography, offer immense potential for cooperation across economic, cultural, and strategic dimensions. Addressing challenges through a balanced and inclusive approach will ensure a strong partnership in the Indian Ocean Region.
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