Sri Lankan PM’s State Visit to India

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