Diljit Dosanjh

India and Sri Lanka share a deep and historically intertwined relationship, marked by geographical proximity, cultural connections, and economic cooperation. Over the years, their relationship has evolved through various phases, shaped by shared challenges, mutual interests, and external influences. This article delves into the India-Sri Lanka relationship by examining its historical foundations, political ties, security concerns, economic cooperation, and the role of external powers, especially China, in shaping the dynamics of this bilateral relationship.

Historical Context

India and Sri Lanka's relationship dates back thousands of years, predicated on cultural, religious, and ethnic ties. The two nations share strong historical links through Buddhism, which spread from India to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. Emperor Ashoka of India played a pivotal role in spreading Buddhism, sending his emissaries, including his son Mahinda and daughter Sanghamitta, to Sri Lanka, where the religion took root. To this day, Buddhism remains one of the strongest cultural bonds between the two countries, with religious pilgrimages and exchanges of sacred relics serving as symbols of this connection.

Sri Lanka's ethnic composition is also tied to India. The majority Sinhalese are believed to have descended from North Indian migrants, while the Tamil population in the north and east of Sri Lanka has origins in South India. This ethnic connection has both facilitated cultural interaction and fueled political conflicts, particularly regarding the Tamil issue, which has been a significant factor in shaping India-Sri Lanka relations in modern times.

Political Relations

Politically, India and Sri Lanka have experienced both cordial and strained relations. The post-colonial era, particularly after Sri Lanka's independence in 1948, saw a relatively smooth relationship, with both countries navigating their newly acquired sovereignty and forming their foreign policies. However, political tensions started to rise in the 1970s and 1980s due to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka involving the Tamil minority, which affected bilateral ties significantly.

The Tamil issue became a critical factor in India-Sri Lanka relations when Sri Lanka's Tamil population began demanding greater autonomy and rights. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant group, spearheaded this demand, escalating tensions into a full-blown civil war. India, especially Tamil Nadu, which has a significant Tamil population, became involved in the issue, leading to a complex relationship between the Indian government, the Sri Lankan government, and the Tamil groups.

India initially tried to mediate in the conflict, culminating in the signing of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987, which was aimed at devolving power to the Tamil areas and disarming the LTTE. As part of the agreement, India sent a peacekeeping force, the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), to Sri Lanka. However, this intervention became highly controversial, as the IPKF became embroiled in violent confrontations with the LTTE, leading to significant casualties on both sides and increasing anti-Indian sentiment in Sri Lanka.

The assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE suicide bomber in 1991 dramatically changed India’s stance. India withdrew its active involvement, and relations with Sri Lanka took on a more neutral tone. Over the years, India's policy shifted toward supporting Sri Lanka’s territorial integrity while pushing for a peaceful resolution of the Tamil issue. By the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009, India’s role had evolved into one of diplomatic engagement rather than direct involvement.

Security and Strategic Concerns

Security concerns have been central to the India-Sri Lanka relationship, particularly with the rise of terrorism and the geostrategic importance of the Indian Ocean region. The conclusion of the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009 opened new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in terms of maritime security and counterterrorism.

The Indian Ocean is of immense strategic importance to both India and Sri Lanka, with major international shipping routes passing through it. India views Sri Lanka as a critical partner in maintaining maritime security in the region, particularly in combating piracy, terrorism, and drug trafficking. The two countries have held joint naval exercises and have increased cooperation in intelligence sharing to tackle security threats in the region.

Another significant aspect of the security relationship is India’s concern over the influence of external powers, particularly China, in Sri Lanka. China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean, especially its investments in Sri Lanka's ports and infrastructure projects, has raised alarms in India. The construction of the Hambantota Port by China in southern Sri Lanka and its subsequent leasing to a Chinese company for 99 years in 2017 heightened India's fears of encirclement or a “string of pearls” strategy by China to undermine India’s influence in the region. India has responded by enhancing its engagement with Sri Lanka, including offering financial assistance, increasing diplomatic ties, and bolstering security cooperation.

Economic Cooperation

Economic ties between India and Sri Lanka have strengthened significantly since the 1990s, particularly after the two countries signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 1998, which came into effect in 2000. This agreement has been pivotal in increasing bilateral trade, making India one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners. The FTA led to a significant boost in the export of goods between the two nations, with India becoming a major supplier of petroleum, automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals to Sri Lanka, while Sri Lanka exports tea, rubber, garments, and spices to India.

India has also emerged as one of Sri Lanka's largest sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), with Indian companies investing in diverse sectors such as telecommunications, hospitality, manufacturing, and IT services. Additionally, India has provided considerable development assistance to Sri Lanka, especially in the post-war reconstruction efforts in the Tamil-majority areas of northern and eastern Sri Lanka.

Tourism is another vital aspect of economic relations between the two countries. India is one of the largest sources of tourists to Sri Lanka, driven in part by religious and cultural ties, such as pilgrimages to Buddhist sites. In recent years, both countries have worked on improving connectivity through direct air and ferry links, further boosting tourism and people-to-people ties.

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. Trade imbalances have been a point of contention, with Sri Lanka occasionally expressing concerns about the dominance of Indian goods in its market. To address these issues, both countries have been in negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that aims to expand the scope of the FTA to include services and investment. However, progress on CEPA has been slow due to domestic concerns in Sri Lanka about the potential negative impact on local industries.

Cultural and People-to-People Ties

Cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Sri Lanka are deep-rooted, with shared traditions in art, music, religion, and language. Buddhism, as mentioned earlier, serves as one of the strongest cultural bonds between the two nations. Religious pilgrimages, such as Sri Lankan Buddhists visiting Indian sites like Bodh Gaya, and Indian Buddhists visiting Sri Lankan temples, have been a testament to this enduring connection.

Language also plays a role in the cultural linkages between the two countries. The Tamil-speaking population in Sri Lanka maintains close ties with Tamil Nadu in India, with cross-border exchanges in literature, cinema, and music being prevalent. Indian films, particularly those from the Tamil film industry, are popular in Sri Lanka, further fostering cultural connections.

In addition to formal diplomacy, informal cultural diplomacy through film, literature, and sport has strengthened the relationship. Cricket, in particular, is a shared passion in both countries and has played a significant role in enhancing people-to-people connections. Cricketing ties, exemplified by regular bilateral matches and shared coaching programs, serve as a soft power tool for diplomacy.

The Influence of External Powers

While India has historically been Sri Lanka's closest neighbor and a major influencer in its domestic and foreign policy, the role of external powers, especially China, has become increasingly significant in recent years. China's growing economic footprint in Sri Lanka has sparked concern in New Delhi, given the strategic implications of Chinese investments in the Indian Ocean.

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has led to substantial Chinese investments in Sri Lankan infrastructure, including the Colombo Port City and the Hambantota Port. While these investments have provided much-needed capital for Sri Lanka, they have also led to increased debt, raising concerns about Sri Lanka falling into a “debt trap.” India views China’s influence with caution, fearing that Chinese-funded projects could be used for military purposes, thus challenging India’s dominance in the region.

In response to China's increasing presence, India has sought to reassert its influence through enhanced diplomatic engagement and investment. India has offered Sri Lanka alternative infrastructure development options, such as collaborating on the development of the Trincomalee oil storage facility and supporting renewable energy projects in the northern and eastern parts of the island.

The United States and Japan have also increased their engagement with Sri Lanka, largely motivated by concerns about China’s expanding influence. Both countries have sought to strengthen their economic and security ties with Sri Lanka, with Japan providing significant development aid and the United States enhancing military cooperation. India has generally welcomed this increased engagement, viewing it as a counterbalance to China’s presence.

Conclusion

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is a complex and multifaceted one, shaped by historical, cultural, political, and economic factors. While the two countries have enjoyed deep-rooted cultural ties and economic cooperation, political tensions, particularly surrounding the Tamil issue and the influence of external powers like China, have complicated their relationship at times.

Looking forward, the future of India-Sri Lanka relations will depend on how both countries manage these challenges. India will need to balance its strategic concerns about China with its desire to maintain strong bilateral ties with Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will have to navigate its relationships with external powers carefully, ensuring that it does not become overly reliant on any one country while maintaining its sovereignty and economic stability.

Ultimately, the India-Sri Lanka relationship will continue to be shaped by mutual interests, shared history, and the evolving dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region, with both countries recognizing the importance of maintaining a stable and cooperative partnership.