SRI LANKA-INDIA RELATONS

Sri Lanka is an… island nation in Indian ocean. It is situated in Southern Asia. It is known for its landscapes, Coastal beaches & ethnic problems.

The country received independence in 1948 from British control.

In southern part of Sri Lanka 80% population is Sinhlee speaking Buddhist while in northern part 20% population is Tamil speaking Hindu.

It’s Capital is  Sri Jayawardenapura (is a large suburb of the capital Colombo and is the parliament site of Sri Lanka. It is located beyond the Colombo city centre and is often called New Capital Territory).It is also the only country in South Asia that is currently rated 'high' on the Human Development Index.

Relations with China-

Sri Lanka is a major country on the String of Pearls which is part of the Chinese strategic initiative in the Indian Ocean, known as the ……..Maritime Silk Road and is part of the bigger development strategy known as the One Belt, One Road.

Sri Lanka had granted Chinese state-owned companies operating rights to four berths at the Hambantota Port.

Chinese aircraft maintenance facility in Trincomalee of Sri Lanka-

There are also concerns from India about the Chinese aircraft maintenance facility in Trincomalee of Sri Lanka as it is a strategic location from our Indian defence perspective.

There is substantial investment from China in Sri Lankan infrastructural expansion.

The 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings

Were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that occurred on ….21 April 2019, Easter Sunday, when three Christianchurches across Sri Lanka and ……three luxury hotels (……. Shangri-La, …..Cinnamon Grand, ….Kingsbury and Tropical Inn.

)in the commercial capital Colombo were targeted in a series of suicide bombings.

 At least 359 people were killed including at least 39 foreign nationals   and three police officers, and at least 500 were injured.

On 23 April 2019, Amaq News Agency, a propaganda outlet for the ………militantIslamic terrorism organisation, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), claimed that the bombers were ISIL fighters answering its call to attack citizens of the coalition which has intervened against the group .

 The Sri Lankan economy Crises)

The Sri Lankan economy has been facing a crisis owing to a serious Balance of Payments (BoP) problem.

Its foreign exchange reserves are depleting rapidly and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the country to import essential consumption goods.

Why is Sri Lanka Suffering from Crisis?

The Easter bomb blasts of April 2019 in churches in Colombo resulting in 253 casualties, consequently, dropped the number of tourists sharply leading to a decline in foreign exchange reserves.

The government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2019 promised lower tax rates and wide-ranging SoPs for farmers during their campaign.

The quick implementation of these ill-advised promises further exacerbated the problem.

The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 made the bad situation worse -

India Srilanka Relationship-     

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.                                                 

Civil nuclear deal with Sri Lanka

India on 16 February 2015 linked a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Sri Lanka, making the first breakthrough with the new government in the island nation.

-Cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

- Aagreed to expand defence and security cooperation. 

Bilateral Maritime Boundary Agreements –

As per UNCLOS, fishing is allowed in the Exclusive Economic Zone. In the case of India and Sri Lanka, the Exclusive economic Zone (EEZ) of both the countries overlap with each other . Thus bilateral Maritime Boundary Agreements were signed to decide maritime boundary between two countries .

JV for Rajapaksa International Airport  -

Joint venture for running the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport with India has not received desired direction. Mattala Airport is not far from Hambantota port, which is operated by China.

 Sampur Thermal Power Station Project –

Indian Public Sector Undertaking National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was planned to undertake the Sampur Thermal Power Station Project located in Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. Due to environmental issues the project was cancelled.

Vaccine Maitree –

In January, 2021, India sent a batch of 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka.

Defence:

 India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (Mitra Shakti) and Naval exercise (SLINEX).

13^th Amendment 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 Amendment.

The role of India in Sri Lankan Crisis?

•  India had provided crucial economic support to the island nation in the grip of a severe dollar crisis that, many fear, might lead to a sovereign default, and a severe shortage of essentials in the import-reliant country.
• The relief extended by India from the beginning of 2022 totals over USD 1.4 billion .

India’s Interests in Srilanka ?

India is working to keep the Lankan out of China’s ‘string of pearls’  in the Indo-Pacific.