THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka from April 4-6, 2025, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, showcasing the close ties between the two nations. This was Mr. Modi’s first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019 and came under the leadership of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) regime. The visit demonstrated Colombo’s commitment to improving relations with New Delhi despite historical apprehensions.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY DOCTRINE
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- Neighbourhood First Policy: India’s approach prioritizes fostering stability and prosperity in South Asia through asymmetric partnerships. Sri Lanka, as a maritime neighbor, holds strategic significance due to its location along vital sea lanes connecting the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia. The policy emphasizes non-reciprocal economic assistance, exemplified by India’s $4 billion crisis support in 2022 and debt restructuring agreements.
- Vision SAGAR: This framework positions India as a “net security provider” in the IOR. The defence MoU signed during Modi’s visit operationalizes this vision by institutionalizing joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and maritime domain awareness.
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
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- Post-Civil War Dynamics: The 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord established provincial councils to devolve power to Tamil-majority regions but faced implementation gaps. Despite India’s role in Sri Lanka’s 2009 civil war conclusion, trust deficits persisted, exacerbated by China’s infrastructure investments like the Hambantota Port.
- JVP’s Political Evolution: The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), historically a Marxist-nationalist party opposing Indian influence, moderated its stance upon assuming power in 2024. President Dissanayake’s assurance against allowing Sri Lankan territory for anti-India activities marked a strategic pivot.
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CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS:
Defence and Security Cooperation
Key Agreements
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- Defence MoU (2025): Establishes a five-year framework for joint military exercises (e.g., Mitra Shakti), staff talks, and technology transfers. Includes provisions for Indian training of Sri Lankan personnel and collaboration on maritime security through the Colombo Security Conclave.
- Colombo Security Conclave Expansion: Now includes Mauritius and Bangladesh, focusing on counterterrorism, drug trafficking, and humanitarian assistance.
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Strategic Implications
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- Countering Chinese Influence: The MoU’s emphasis on Sri Lanka’s “defence industrial base” aligns with India’s push to offset China’s arms exports to the region.
- Trincomalee Energy Hub: Joint development with the UAE aims to transform the port into a regional energy hub, reducing dependence on Chinese-funded infrastructure.
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Economic Partnerships
Debt Restructuring
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- India reduced interest rates on existing loans and converted $20.66 million in Line of Credit repayments into grants, easing Sri Lanka’s $46 billion debt burden.
- Shift from debt-driven models to investment-led partnerships, exemplified by the Sampur Solar Project (120 MW) and Dambulla cold storage facility.
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Connectivity Projects
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- Railway Modernization: The Maho-Omanthai line ($91.27 million) and Maho-Anuradhapura signaling system ($14.9 million) enhance intra-island connectivity, integrating northern Sri Lanka with Colombo.
- Digital Infrastructure: SLUDI (Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity) project, modeled on India’s Aadhaar, aims to streamline governance and welfare delivery.
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CRITICAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES:
Fishermen’s Dispute
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- Ecological and Livelihood Concerns: Bottom trawling by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters depletes marine resources, affecting 150,000 Sri Lankan fisherfolk6.
- Legal Complexity: The 1974 Katchatheevu Agreement remains contentious, with Tamil Nadu groups demanding its renegotiation.
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Tamil Political Settlement
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- 13th Amendment Implementation: Despite Tamil parties’ appeals, Sri Lanka has delayed provincial council elections since 2017. India’s call for “full implementation” faces resistance from Sinhala nationalist factions.
- Development vs. Devolution: India’s $2.4 billion package for Eastern Province development risks being perceived as a substitute for political rights.
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GLOBAL AND REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES:
China Factor
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- Debt-Trap Diplomacy: Sri Lanka’s $8.2 billion owed to China complicates bilateral relations. India’s debt restructuring model offers an alternative but requires scaling up.
- Quad Engagement: Sri Lanka’s participation in the Colombo Security Conclave aligns with Quad objectives of a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” though Colombo avoids formal alliances.
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Multilateral Dynamics
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- UN Security Council Bid: Sri Lanka’s endorsement of India’s 2028-2029 UNSC candidature strengthens Delhi’s multilateral leverage.
- BIMSTEC Integration: Cross-border energy grids and the Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai ferry service operationalize BIMSTEC’s connectivity agenda.
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WAY FORWARD:
Structured Dialogue Mechanisms
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- Fishermen’s Working Group: Establish a joint technical committee to phase out bottom trawling, supported by UNDP-led marine conservation funds6.
- Defence Industry Corridor: Collaborate on UAV manufacturing in Trincomalee, leveraging India’s iDEX framework and Sri Lanka’s strategic location.
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Political Reconciliation
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- Election Monitoring: Deploy an Indian delegation to observe provincial council elections, ensuring transparency in Tamil-majority regions.
- Cultural Diplomacy: Expand scholarships for Sri Lankan students at Indian universities, particularly in conflict resolution studies.
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Economic Statecraft
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- Rupee Trade Settlement: Promote INR-LKR direct trade to reduce forex pressures, building on the 2023 SAARC Currency Swap Agreement.
- Green Energy Partnerships: Joint ventures in offshore wind farms, utilizing India’s ISA membership and Sri Lanka’s 200 GW wind potential.
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THE CONCLUSION:
Modi’s visit reaffirmed India’s role as Sri Lanka’s “first responder” in crises while setting a template for mature bilateralism in the Global South. By balancing strategic assertiveness in defence with accommodative economic policies, India has crafted a sustainable partnership model.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTION:
India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka the light of the preceding statement 2022
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
The Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 aimed to address Tamil political aspirations through devolution of powers. Critically analyze its implementation and relevance in the current political scenario in Sri Lanka.
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