India- Sri Lanka Relations

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Areas of Concern between India and Sri-Lanka

Fishermen Issue:
  • The issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen allegedly poaching in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters has been an ongoing conflict, with Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen repeatedly raising concerns over their falling catch and the serious environmental damage caused by trawlers originating from India.
  • The two countries have established a Joint Working Group (JWG) on fisheries to help resolve the dispute and in future must evolve mechanisms for sustainable fishing.
Devolution of power:
  • India stands for a “united Sri Lanka”, but wants an “early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment” that provides for devolution in the Tamil majority Northern and Eastern provinces.
Reconciliation process and war crimes:
  • The UNHRC resolution on war crimes is another important issue on which both the countries have to reach an understanding.
  • India has advocated for speedy rehabilitation and ports and other facilities in friendly countries – including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
  • This concerns India as China’s encroachment on its sphere of influence and eroding its commercial and cultural links with the island resettlement of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).
The ‘China factor’
  • China has invested heavily in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure as part of its “string of pearls” policy aimed at establishing a naval presence across South Asia by building
  • Under the previous regime, SL looked to China for economic and diplomatic backing at a time when the West was threatening to sanction Colombo for crimes committed in its conflict with Tamil separatists.
  • China is the largest investor in Sri Lanka.
  • China’s economic dominance in SL both in terms of debt as well as investments increased.
  • Sri Lanka also recently formally handed over its southern port of Hambantota to China on a 99-year lease which had become an obvious site of the India-China geopolitical tussle on the island, has in the past witnessed protests against projects involving both countries.
Way Forward
  • Sri Lanka’s importance, for India, increases many folds due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, especially with the Quad talks in progression.
  • On the other hand, SL clearly sees benefit from cultivating ties with both countries. But the government may find it hard to strike a balance between the competing interests of China and India, while fending off domestic concerns over economic colonization.
  • Further although New Delhi’s anxiety over Chinese presence might be justified, it should avoid using the China lens to view Sri Lanka, respecting the country’s autonomy to engage with any willing partner.
  • The more India treats Sri Lanka as an equal partner, the stronger the relationship is likely to grow.
  • Even SL is now seemingly trying to balance its policy between India and China, giving India a stake in Hambantota airport, Colombo port project and a key expressway, besides preventing Chinese submarines in Sri Lankan waters in the backdrop of loans from Beijing that have pushed Sri Lanka into debt trap.
  • 5 Editorials – 22nd Edition – 5th Eastern Port Terminal Project
  • 52nd Edition – Fishermen Issue.

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