Recently, India has decided to provide a grant to Sri Lanka for the implementation of a ‘Unitary Digital Identity framework,’ which is seemingly modelled after India’s Aadhaar card system. This agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting wherein both sides discussed the issue of fishermen and India offered financial aid amounting to 2.4 billion USD to Sri Lanka.
The Unitary Digital Identity framework bears a resemblance to India’s Aadhaar. Under this proposed framework, Sri Lanka plans to introduce a personal identity verification device that utilises biometric data, a digital tool to represent individual identities in cyberspace, and an identification method that can accurately verify individual identities in both digital and physical environments by combining the two devices previously mentioned.
This isn’t Sri Lanka’s first attempt at digitising its citizens’ identities. Between 2015 and 2019, the Sri Lankan government suggested a similar system known as the Electronic-National Identity Card (E-NIC), which was opposed by privacy advocates due to the state’s complete access to citizens’ personal data in a central database. The government had also tried initiating the project as early as 2011 but neither were successfully implemented.
India’s Economic Support to Sri Lanka Amidst Crisis
From January 2022 onwards, India has been providing vital economic support to Sri Lanka, who is currently facing a severe dollar crisis that could potentially lead to a sovereign default and a significant shortage of essential items in the import-reliant country.
India’s relief package extended from the beginning of this year totals over USD 1.4 billion which includes a USD 400 currency swap, a USD 500 loan deferment and a USD 500 Line of credit for fuel imports. Sri Lanka is further negotiating a USD 1 billion assistance from India as the country braces for an unparalleled economic crisis.
India’s Stance on Bilateral Relations
India’s stand on bilateral relations includes various mutually beneficial projects. These include proposals to enhance air and sea connectivity, economic and investment initiatives, steps to enhance Sri Lanka’s energy security, keeping the shared maritime domain safe from various threats, and cooperation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
Existing Concerns in India-Sri Lanka Relations
The major issues plaguing India-Sri Lanka relations are the killing of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, the East Coast Terminal project, China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, and the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution.
The Way Forward for India
Despite a trust deficit between India and Sri Lanka, they can neither afford strained ties. Given its size, India bears the responsibility to foster good relations. India needs to be patient, respond constructively to any minor irritations, and engage with Sri Lanka more often and more closely, particularly at higher levels.
The focus should be on increasing people-centric developmental activities while avoiding interference in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs. Nurturing the Neighbourhood First policy with Sri Lanka is of importance to safeguard India’s strategic interests in the Indian Ocean region.
