In February 2020, at the behest of the Indian Prime Minister, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa visited India. During his visit from the 8th to the 11th, he visited several significant religious sites, including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, the Maha Bodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.
The Tamil Issue
India, during the visit, voiced its confidence in Sri Lanka’s ability to continue with the reconciliation process of Tamils within the country. It also urged the Sri Lankan government to fulfil the Tamils’ aspirations for equality, justice, peace, and respect within the nation.
Development in War-Affected Areas
From Sri Lanka’s side, there was a request made to India to assist in building more houses in the northern and eastern regions, which have been most impacted by war. Thus far, India has assisted in building up to 46,000 homes in these areas. The Sri Lankan government also sought help in implementing deep-sea fishing techniques to generate employment opportunities for the local population.
Joint Marine Resources Management Authority
During the discussion, Sri Lanka proposed the establishment of a Joint Marine Resources Management Authority between the two countries. The commission, intended to comprise seven members from each nation, will include representatives from bureaucrats, researchers, and fishermen’s associations. The proposal aims to provide a long-term solution to the Palk Bay fisheries conflict.
The Debt Trap
The meeting also encapsulated discussions on the ‘debt traps’ that Sri Lanka has been grappling with. Debt-trap diplomacy typically refers to strategies where countries like China offer loans to developing or underdeveloped nations for infrastructural projects leading to potential indebtedness.
Indian Ocean Region Cooperation
Both India and Sri Lanka concurred on cooperating closely for the peace and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific region. India highlighted its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) as reinforcing the security of the Indian Ocean.
Tackling Terrorism
Both nations stressed on enhancing cooperation and communication between their counter-terrorism agencies, with the aim of augmenting their collective efforts against terrorism.
India-Sri Lanka Relations
India and Sri Lanka share more than a 2,500-year-old relationship steeped in intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic exchanges. Amidst the civil war, India supported the Sri Lankan government’s actions against terrorist forces.
The Indian Housing Project is a testament to India’s developmental assistance to Sri Lanka. The initial commitment under this project intends to build 50,000 houses for those impacted by the civil war and for plantation area estate workers.
Maritime Boundaries and Military Cooperation
Given the territorial water proximity of both countries, crossings of the international maritime boundary line by bona fide fishermen are common. Both nations have agreed on practical arrangements to deal with this issue.
Furthermore, the countries conduct joint military (‘Mitra Shakti’) and naval exercises (SLINEX). In a recent development, the Chennai (India) -Jaffna (Sri Lanka) flight service has resumed after a 41-year hiatus.
