External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Visit Sri Lanka

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• India has pledged a reconstruction package of $450 million as part of India’s First Responder activity under Operation Sagar Bandhu to Sri Lanka.

About

• The visit underscores India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
• As part of ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, the High Commission of India in Colombo sourced and helped distribute humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and medical assistance to augment the Sri Lankan government’s efforts.

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.
  • The merchandise trade between India and Sri Lanka amounted to USD 5.54 billion in FY 2023-24, with India’s exports at USD 4.11 billion and Sri Lanka’s exports at USD 1.42 billion.
  • 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. 
• 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.
• Development Cooperation: India’s grant assistance to Sri Lanka currently stands at around USD 780 million, which includes completed projects worth USD 390 million, ongoing projects worth over USD 210 million, and another USD 178 million worth of projects in the pipeline.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• Rising Chinese Presence: 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: AIR