Why in the News?
Prime Minister of India was honoured with Sri Lanka's highest civilian award, Mithra Vibhushana during his two-day state visit to Sri Lanka.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
- Defence cooperation: India and Sri Lanka signed a comprehensive MoU on defense cooperation, consolidating existing understandings into a structured framework.
- Also, Sri Lankan President reaffirmed no use of its territory against India, addressing concerns over China's regional influence.
- Energy Collaboration: India, Sri Lanka, and the UAE agreed to jointly develop an energy hub in Trincomalee.
- Digital Transformation: Both countries signed MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Sharing Successful Digital Solutions Implemented at Population Scale for Digital Transformation.
- India announced support for Sri Lanka's Unique Digital Identity project.
- Grant Assistance: India announced grant assistance for the development of Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee, Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya, and Sacred City Complex project in Anuradhapura.
- Others:
- India agreed on the conversion of 100 million US dollars in loans to grants.
- India announced a 2.4 billion Lankan rupees package for the Eastern Province.
- India also announced comprehensive capacity-building programme in India covering 700 Sri Lankans annually.
Significance of India- Sri Lanka Relations
For Both Nations
- Cooperation at International forums: India supports Sri Lanka's application to become a member of BRICS.
- Sri Lanka has extended its support to India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2028-29.
- Shared maritime security interests in Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Both are committed to countering traditional and non-traditional threats and to ensure a free, open, safe and secure IOR.
- Energy cooperation: Several projects are at different stages of discussions, for instance, plans for inter-grid connectivity, a multi-product petroleum pipeline between the two countries, supply of LNG, and the under-preparation Sampur Power Project.
- Regional and multilateral cooperation: Both are part of, commonwealth Group, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), and BIMSTEC.
- Military collaboration: Joint exercises like SLINEX (Naval) and MITRA SHAKTI (Army) are held annually.
- Sri Lanka also participates in MILAN, the multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.
For Sri –Lanka | For India |
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Irritants in India-Sri Lanka Relations
- Chinese Influence: China's growing influence through financial aid and projects like Hambantota Port increases its leverage over Sri Lanka, impacting India's interests.
- Chinese vessels (Shi Yan-6, Yuan Wang-5) conduct data collection activities may potentially aid future military operations against India.
- Fishermen Disputes: Sri Lanka opposes use of bottom trawlers by Indian fishermen and frequent entry into Sri Lankan waters citing concerns regarding environmental damage and overfishing.
- Also, territorial dispute over this Kachchatheevu Island, ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, remains a contentious issue, with Indian fishermen claiming traditional fishing rights.
- Tamil Ethnic Issue: Slow reconciliation efforts, e.g., delay in implementation of 13th Amendment (in Sri Lanka's Constitution) post Tamil-Sinhala conflict impact India's domestic politics.
- The amendment was a result of Indo-Lanka Accord (1987). Sinhala nationalists oppose it as an imposition while Tamil groups seek broader powers.
Way Forward
- India's Five "S" Approach: Samman (Respect), Samvad (Dialogue), Sahyog (Cooperation), and Shanti (Peace); to create conditions for universal Samriddhi (Prosperity).
- Constructive engagement: Establish a permanent bilateral institutional mechanism to address fishermen disputes, moral persuasion and developmental support to push for effective implementation of the 13th Amendment, etc.
- Soft power and cultural diplomacy: Joint promotion of religious tourism under Buddhist circuit and Ramayana Trail with infrastructure support, digital platforms, and diaspora engagement.
- Multilateral cooperation: Effective utilization of institutions like BIMSTEC and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to create common positions on regional maritime security, climate change, and economic integration.
