Lanka: Won’t allow use of our land against India

Context: The recent visit of Sri
Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake lays a great significance to India
and his assurance of not letting the island nation to be used in a manner that
is detrimental to the interest of India. The two sides also agreed to explore the
possibility of concluding a framework agreement on defence cooperation,
provision of defence platforms and assets to augment Sri Lanka’s defence
capabilities, intensify collaborations through joint exercises, maritime
surveillance and defence dialogue and exchanges. Enhanced capacity building and
training for Sri Lankan defence training programmes will also be provided
whenever required.

India-Sri Lanka Relations

·      
About: India
and Sri Lanka have a long and complex history of cultural, economic, and
political ties dating back over 2,500 years.

·      
History: Ancient
- Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka by Emperor Ashoka's son Mahinda in
the 3rd century BCE. This led to the establishment of a strong cultural and
religious connection between the two countries. In the 10th century CE, the
Chola dynasty of South India conquered Sri Lanka several times. However, the
Cholas also left a lasting cultural impact on Sri Lanka, influencing art,
architecture, and language.

Modern
- India and Sri Lanka gained independence from British
rule in 1947 and 1948, respectively. India played an important role in helping
Sri Lanka establish its democratic institutions. Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) was formed in 1976, and it was involved in an armed conflict with
Sri Lankan armed forces from 1983 to 2009. During the Tamil conflict, India and
Sri Lanka signed the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Agreement to enact the 13th amendment
and send the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka. The assassination
of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 further changed India’s attitude
towards the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The Civil War in Sri Lanka ended
through a military operation in 2009.

·      
Significance of Sri Lanka to India: Strategic
location - Sri Lanka's location in the Indian Ocean region makes it a
strategically important hub for India's security interests.

Geopolitical
importance - Sri Lanka's location makes it important for
India's Indian Ocean strategy and for networking with partners for its aim of
establishing an Indian Ocean Rim Community.

China's
presence - India is also concerned about China's increasing
presence in Sri Lanka through investments in ports, which could potentially be
used for military purposes.

·      
India’s engagement: Economic
cooperation - India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) in 2000
contributed significantly towards the expansion of trade between the two
countries.

Cultural
relations - Buddhism is one of the strong pillars connecting
both nations. Both countries jointly commemorated the 2600th year of Buddha’s
enlightenment.

Development
cooperation - Sri Lanka is a major recipient of development assistance
from the Government of India. India’s overall commitment stands close to US$ 3
billion, out of which around US$ 560 million are purely in grants.

Defence
and security cooperation - Since 2012, India has participated
in the Ind-Sri Lankan Defence Dialogue. This platform helps to review security
and defines cooperation issues.

Infrastructure
development - In 2022, India signed an agreement to set up
hybrid power projects on northern Sri Lanka islands. Various development
projects have been started by India at Kankesanthurai port on the northern tip
of Sri Lanka, very close to India, and at Trincomalee port on its northeastern
coast.

Multilateral
cooperation - Both are members of organizations such as SAARC,
BIMSTEC, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Both are part of
international organizations such as the United Nations, World Trade
Organization, World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund, World
Bank etc.

·      
Challenges: Strategic
issues due to increased Chinese presence - As part of the Maritime Silk
Route (MSR) policy, China built Colombo and Hambantota ports. China has also
collaborated in satellite launching activities with Supreme SAT (Pvt.), Sri
Lanka’s only satellite operator.

Political
instability - Sri Lanka has witnessed political instability in
recent years, with frequent changes in government and leadership. This has
affected the country's ability to engage with India and implement policies that
promote economic cooperation and regional stability.

·      
Way forward: Both
countries should try to work out a permanent solution to the issue of fishermen
through bilateral engagements. India needs to focus more on its traditional and
cultural ties to improve relations with Sri Lanka. Mutual recognition of each
other's concerns and interests can improve the relationship between both
countries.