Brief Context
Context The Sri Lankan Prime Minister is on a state visit to India. India and Sri Lanka Relations Diplomatic Ties: Diplomatic relations established in 1948 after Sri Lanka’s independence. Trade Relations: India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) in 2000 contributed significantly towards the expansion of trade between the two countries.
Source Content
Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
- The Sri Lankan Prime Minister is on a state visit to India.
- Both leaders discussed education, women’s empowerment, innovation, development cooperation and welfare of fishermen.
India and Sri Lanka Relations
- Diplomatic Ties: Diplomatic relations established in 1948 after Sri Lanka’s independence.
- Trade Relations: India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) in 2000 contributed significantly towards the expansion of trade between the two countries.
- India has traditionally been among Sri Lanka’s largest trade partners and Sri Lanka remains among the largest trade partners of India in the SAARC.
- India is also one of the largest contributors to Foreign Direct Investment in Sri Lanka.
- Cultural relations: The Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed in 1977 forms the basis for periodic Cultural Exchange Programmes between the two countries.
- Tourism: India has traditionally been Sri Lanka’s top inbound tourism market, followed by China.
- As per latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, India is the largest source for tourists in 2023.
- Maritime Security and Defence Cooperation: In 2011, a decision was taken to establish the Colombo Security Conclave which aims to further promote maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
- India and Sri Lanka conduct a joint Military exercise named ‘Mitra Shakti’, Trilateral Maritime Exercise “Dosti”, and a Naval exercise named SLINEX.
- Connectivity Projects: Recently, the two sides adopted a vision document to enhance maritime, energy and people to people connectivity.
- There are plans to develop a land bridge between the two countries to provide India with land access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo to boost economic growth.
- Multilateral Forum Collaboration: India and Sri Lanka are member nations of several regional and multilateral organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, South Asian Economic Union and BIMSTEC, working to enhance cultural and commercial ties.
Areas of Concern
- The Fishermen Issue: Sri Lanka’s proximity to Indian territorial waters has often blurred the line for fishermen on both sides in pursuit of fish stock.
- Since 2016, a Joint Working Group on Fisheries (JWG) mechanism has been in place to address the immediate concerns of fishermen of both sides and to find a permanent solution to the issue.
- Rise of China: China’s increasing strategic investments in vital maritime ports in the IOR has been an area of concern.
- There is a lack of transparency in implementation of projects and possible military use of ports by China.
- Maritime Security Concerns: Piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling in the Palk Strait and surrounding waters.
- Need for constant coordination on maritime borders to prevent incidents.
- Domestic Instability in Sri Lanka: Political unrest or changes in government affect continuity of agreements and development projects.
- Delays in infrastructure or economic projects due to internal instability.
Way Ahead
- India and Sri Lanka share deep historical, cultural, and strategic ties, reinforced by trade, defence, and development cooperation.
- While challenges such as Chinese influence, and economic instability persist.
- Enhanced economic and maritime collaboration, and strong people-to-people ties can ensure a resilient, mutually beneficial, and strategically vital partnership in the Indian Ocean.
Source: IE