07 Mar

India-Sri Lanka

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Contents

• Some Basic Facts About Sri Lanka
• Important Ports of Sri Lanka
• Political History of Sri Lanka
• India-Sri Lanka Relations

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Some Basic Facts About Sri Lanka

• Historically known as Ceylon, Sri Lanka is an island country located in South Asia. It lies in Indian Ocean, southwest of Bay of Bengal.
• It is located between latitudes 5 degree 55’- and 9-degree 51′ North.
• Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait separate Sri Lanka from India.
• Maritime Borders: Sri Lanka shares a maritime border with the Maldives in the south-west and India in the northwest.
• Colombo, the largest city is also executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka.

Important Ports of Sri Lanka:

1. Port of Colombo: The largest port of Sri Lanka. It is located at the mouth of river Kelani Ganga.

2. Port of Hambantota: It is also known as the Magapura Mahinda Rajapaksha port and is situated in the southern part of the SL. It is close to Asian and European marine trade routes, Suez Canal, and Malacca strait. It was constructed with the help of China’s aid and has been given to China on a 99-year lease.

3. Port of Gale: Located on southwest of the country, it is the largest port of the region.

4. Oluvil Port: The port project was started in 2008 with the financial support of Denmark’s foreign ministry. It is being developed in stages and 1st phase became operational in 2013.

5. Port of Trincomalee: It is located on the NE shores of SL and has the second largest natural harbour in the world. It is ten times bigger than the port of Colombo capable of accommodating ships of any size in its anchorage area.

Political History of Sri Lanka

• 1948: Independence proclaimed; D.S. Senanayake becomes the first Prime Minister.
• 1956: Solomon Bhandarnaike was elected as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. He made Sinhala the only official language. More than 100 Sri Lankan Tamil people were killed after the Tamil members of parliament protested.
• 1959: Solomon Bhandarnaike was shot by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk. He succumbed to injuries the next day.
• 1960: Sirimavo Bandarnaike becomes the first women prime minister of the world. She was sworn in on July 21, 1960, after her United national party won the elections.
• 1965: Opposition party wins the election and tries reverse the nationalization.
• 1970: Sirimavo Bandarnaike reelected and brings back Sinhalese Nationalism.
• 1977: LTTE was formed
• 1983: ‘Black July’ riots erupted in Sri Lanka; about 400-3000 people were killed.
  • The bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka deteriorated in 1980s with rising Tamil militant separatism in Sri Lanka.
• 1987: Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which was intended to end the civil war between Sri Lankan Tamil nationalists and LTTE, signed.
  • It proposed a political solution to Sri Lanka’s conflict by establishing a provincial council system and devolution of power for nine provinces in Sri Lanka. This is popularly known as the Thirteenth Amendment (13A) to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
  • India also deployed IPKF in Sri Lanka intended to ensure peace (It is known as ‘Operation Pawan’, which ultimately resulted in the assassination of PM Rajiv Gandhi)
• 1988: Nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) protest against the Sri Lanka-India agreement.
• 1990: Second Elam war breaks. East province taken over by Sri Lankan Forces after heavy fighting. The LTTE continued to kill civilians in the Eastern Province.
• 1991: LTTE suicide bombers kill Rajeev Gandhi in Tamil Nadu. He was instrumental in bringing the IndoSri Lanka accord.
• 1993: An LTTE suicide bomber kills Ranasinghe Premadasa, the third President of Sri Lanka during a mayday rally.
• 1994: President Kumaratunga again initiates peace talks with LTTE.
• 1995: The third Elam war breaks out after a suicide squad attacked two naval vessels in Trincomalee killing 12 soldiers.
• 2000: The EU criticizes both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan security forces concerning the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
• 2003: The Sri Lankan government and LTTE holds peace talks and agree on a ceasefire.
• 2005: Rajapaksa elected for the first time.
• 2006: The political killings, child soldiers, abductions, and clashes between the government and LTTE creates tension around the country. The Trincomalee massacre of students happened in 2006. It was considered to be an act of state terror. Vankalai massacre of four minority Sri Lankan Tamils. It was also considered to be an act of state terror.
• 2007: Atleast 28 people which includes, 14 cadres of LTTE, die in clashes between the security forces and the Tamil Tigers in September.
• 2008: Government blames LTTE after 12 civilians killed and 100 injured over a suicide bomb attack. Government launches a massive offense ending the 2002 ceasefire agreement.
• May 2009: Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed by Sri Lankan army. The war between the tigers and Sri Lankan military reaches its bitter end and the tigers decide to silence their guns in the interest of Tamil citizens.
• 2010: Mahinda Rajapaksa re-elected. He promised to restore an Independent National Human rights commission along with other commissions.
• 2012: Rajapaksa government dismisses UN report which states that Sri Lanka intimidated UN members investigating abuses at the end of civil war in 2009. The former Sri Lankan Army chief, Sarath Fonseka freed after 2 and a half years. Sri Lanka was in the same state when it came to ensuring justice to the victims of numerous Human Rights violations.
• Jan 2013: Dismissal of Chief Justice
  • Rajapaksa dismisses Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake after finding her guilty on three offences including financial irregularities.
• Sep 2013: Tamil National Alliance (TNA) wins election at the Northern provincial council.
• 2014: President Mahinda Rajapaksa doesn’t allow the UN to investigate the war crime during the Tamil Tiger insurgency.
• 2015: Maithripala Sirisena defeats Rajapaksa in Presidential elections, pledging accountability over alleged atrocities during the civil war.
• 2017 – Jan: Police clash with protestors demonstrating against a plan to evict villagers to make way for a mostly Chinese port and industrial zone near the port city of Hamabantota.
• 2018 – Oct: Constitutional crisis as President Sirisena replaces Prime Minister Ranil Wickeamsinghe with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and suspends Parliament.
• 2019 Nov: Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the younger brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, wins the presidential election.
• 2020 Aug – President Rajapaksa’s SLPP party wins large majority in Parliamentary elections.
• 2022 – Protestors force President Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office during an economic crisis.
• 2022-July: Ranil Wickremsinghe elected President by MPs.
• This was after the ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country after thousands of protestors stormed his presidential residences. The protestors had also called for resignation of Mr Wickrem Singhe, a close ally of Rajapaksa political family who was appointed Prime Minister in May 2022.

India-Sri Lanka Relations

Introduction

• India-Sri Lanka relations are more than 2,500 years old and are built upon, geographical, historical, cultural, economic and religious factors. Bilateral relations have traditionally been good.
• The year 2023 is particularly significant in India-Sri Lanka relations as it marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and 200 years of the arrival of Tamil community in SL.
• Both ethnic groups of SriLanka (Sinhalese Buddhist and Tamils) have origins in India.
  • Sinhalese Buddhist who constitutes 80% of the population claim to have come from Orissa in the 5th century BCE.
  • Tamils are the other ethnic group who constitute 20% of the population.
• Traditionally, as Sri Lanka’s close neighbor, India has had a huge influence in the Island Nation’s political, economic, social and cultural consciousness and its world view.
• But the relations saw deterioration in 1980s.
  • SL accused India of supporting the Tamil Separatists in the north of Sri Lanka.
  • Ethnic Civil war created lakhs of refugees creating security concerns in India.
• The Year 1987 saw the signing of India-Sri Lanka Peace Agreement.
  • SL amended the constitution to establish provincial councils, but it is not in practice till now.
  • India sent IPKF to see the implementation of the agreement. But LTTE didn’t accept it leading to war. It led to death of 2,000 Indian soldiers and later the death of former PM Rajeev Gandhi.
• Hands off Policy of India in 1990s:
  • In 1990s India followed hands off policy which gave space to extra-regional players. This is seen as a strategic mistake on India’s part by various international relations experts. It led to increased influence of China in Sri Lanka.

Factors Which Bind India and Sri Lanka Together:

1. Geopolitical Significance of SriLanka for India: Geographical location of Sri Lanka gives it a strategic place along the major sea lanes of communication from Europe to East Asia.

2. Strong Political Cooperation:

• Sri Lankan Presidents, PMs, and foreign ministers have generally made New Delhi their first overseas destination, within days or weeks after taking charge.
  • For e.g. President Maithripala Sirisena visited India in Feb 2015 and May 2016.
  • Similarly, after getting elected for 2nd term in 2019, Sri Lanka was the first destination for PM Modi.
• In July 2023, President Renil Wickremsinghe visited India and took several steps towards strengthening of bilateral relations.

3. Promoting Regional Cooperation: Sri Lanka is both a member of SAARC and BIMSTEC and thus will play a crucial role in India’s efforts to increase the regional cooperation in South Asia.

4. Commercial Partnership is very vibrant between the two countries and has witnessed considerable expansion in recent years. The coming into force of India-Sri Lanka FTA (ISFTA) in 2000 contributed to the bilateral trade.

• India continues to remain the largest trade partner for SL.
• India is also among the largest investor in SL.
• After a five-year hiatus, in Nov 2023, India and Sri Lanka have relaunched talks on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement. The 2 sides held 12th round of negotiation on the agreement in Colombo.

5. Development Cooperation: India’s development portfolio is quite wide in Sri Lanka. It includes housing projects, education, health, agriculture, infrastructure etc.
6. India’s support during the financial crisis of Sri Lanka:

• India offered Sri Lanka assistance of $4 billion through currency swaps, loan deferrals, loan facilities, and multiple line of emergency credit.
• India also lobbied for Sri Lanka in the IMF and the Paris Club (despite not being a part of it). India became the first country to assure IMF of its debt restructuring to Sri Lanka.

7. Cultural Aspects and People to People Contact:

• Other than Tamils, 1,000s of people of Indian origin comprising of Sindhis, Gujaratis, Memons, Parsis, Malayalis and Telugu speaking persons have settled in SL and are engaged in various business ventures. Each of these communities have their own groups which organize festivals and cultural events.
• The Cultural Cooperation Agreement has been signed between both the countries. The Indian cultural centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in Indian music, dance, Yoga etc.
• Education is another important area of cooperation between India and Sri Lanka. India offers scholarship slots annually to deserving Sri Lankan students.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s India visit (July 2023)

Nearly a year after being sworn as the President of SL, Ranil Wickremsinghe visited India in July 2023. The visit was significant in the growing relations between the two countries.

Key Highlights:

• A joint statement on economic cooperation titled “Promoting Connectivity, Catalyzing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision” was released after talks between PM Modi and President Wickremesinghe. It lays out vision in five areas: Maritime, Air, Energy, Trade and People to People initiatives.
  • New Investments in Maritime and Air Connectivity will involve developing ports and airports in Sri Lanka, resuming ferry services, expanding flight networks to TN and SL’s northern and eastern province.
    • The two sides have also agreed to do feasibility study on land bridge (consisting of railway line).
    • A major surge in energy connectivity will include renewable energy wind and solar plants in Sri Lanka. The two countries have also agreed to establish a power grid interconnection for bidirectional trade.
• Trade, Economy and Finance:
  • Both sides agreed to boost private sector investments, recommence discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement, use the rupee as a currency for trade, and operationalize UPI (digital connectivity).
  • They also agreed to explore the ways of enhancing tourism and cultural religious travel and educational collaboration.
• Together, the idea was to promote ‘civilization ties, geographical proximity, cultural connect, and age-old goodwill between the people of two countries’.
• Concerns: None of the written documents released during the meet acknowledged previous commitments by Sri Lanka on honoring the 13th amendment for devolution of powers to the North and Eastern Provinces, and for resolving the long-pending issues over arrest of Indian fishermen.
• Conclusion:
  • The recent visit is an attempt to build on the looming optimism. Both countries home that connectivity will bring them together, build their trust, and further their interest.

Key Pain points/Challenges in India Sri Lanka Relations:

1. Increasing Penetration of China in Sri Lanka

• China, as part of their string of pearl strategy is trying to encircle India by building strategic ports all along the Indian Ocean including in Pakistan (Gwadar), Bangladesh (Chittagong), Myanmar (Kyauk Phru) and Sri Lanka (Hambantota)

2. Tamil Issues:

• Ethnic conflict between the Sinhala majority and Tamil Minority in SL has severely undermined the bilateral ties between the two countries in recent decades.
• Repatriation of refugees is another bone of contention
• Post war political and human rights issues; and India voting in UNHRC.

3. Fishermen Issues and Kachathivu Island Issue

• Incidents of straying of Indian fishermen in SL waters cause regular tensions between the two countries.

4. Domestic Politics of Sri Lanka:

• While the current SL government has indicated a strong desire to increase integration and connectivity with India, India is worried if this kind of commitment will continue with future governments or not. As Sri Lanka heads to presidential elections in 2024, India has to be watchful about if the appetite for connectivity and integration will persist with the future government.

Way Forward for India

• Economic Integration of SL with India:
  • Closer economic integration between India and SL can result in technology transfer, skill transfer, and investment flow towards SL.
  • Establishment of a land bridge between TN and SL can lead to increased trade between South India and impoverished northern part of SL.
  • China’s passivity and India’s proactive assistance during SL’s financial crisis has encouraged Sri Lanka to embrace a major geopolitical turnaround and calls to integrate with India are increasing in Colombo.
  • This integration will also be supported by positive sentiments about India among Sri Lankan population in general. India’s future support in strengthening and development of areas such as agriculture, dairy sector etc can have a lot of positive impact on the lives of people and create positive sentiments about India.
• Prosperity through connectivity: ‘Positive transformation’ in India Sri Lanka relations can be brought through increased connectivity.
  • During the visit of SL President Ranil Wickremsinghe in 2023 an agreement for exploring the possibility of land bridge (positively) having railway line was signed.
  • Another very significant outcome was the joint decision to ‘carry out feasibility studies on establishing a petroleum pipeline’ (energy connectivity). This will ensure fuel sufficiency and thus energy security for Sri Lanka.
    • After Nepal and BD, Sri Lanka is the third neighbours with whom India is building ‘energy connectivity’, both in petroleum and power grid.
  • Other agreements related to maritime connectivity, energy connectivity and fintech
    connectivity were also discussed.
  • More work can also happen on maritime connectivity and air connectivity.
    • E.g. the recent restart of Kankesanthurai-Nagapattinam ferry service after almost
      40 years.
  • All these connectivity initiatives are in sync with ‘India’s Neighborhood First’ policy and ‘SAGAR’ Vision.
• India should consolidate its fragmented aid program: Currently Indian aid is routed via multiple
  ministries and agencies. A single development bank will be much better.
• India should engage with all sides of the political spectrum in SL: This would ensure that the process of cooperation, connectivity and integration between India and Sri Lanka will continue irrespective of the results of the 2024 Sri Lankan elections.
• On Ethnic Issue, SL should ensure that aspirations of Tamils are fulfilled, and the process of
  rebuilding should ensure equality, justice and peace.
• Strengthening Security Cooperation: SL needs to understand India’s security concerns better.

vi. Conclusion:

• “Security and development interests of the two countries are intertwined, and therefore “it is essential that we work together, keeping in mind each other’s safety and sensitives” PM Modi.

Some Issues in India-Sri Lanka Relations (Details)

China

Background:

• In 2000s, China realized Geographic strategic importance of Sri Lanka which straddles the Indian Ocean and halfway between Gulf of Aden and Malacca Strait.
• It understood the significance of SL to challenge both India and US naval forces in the Indian Ocean.
• During the SL civil war, it provided arms and training to SL army. India was hoping that China’s influence will reduce once the war was over. But the outcome was quite contrary. Currently, China has emerged as the biggest investor of Sri Lanka.

China’s increasing Influence in SL and India’s concerns:

• Increasing Chinese Military Presence: China’s string of pearl strategy.
  • Visit of Chinese Spy vessels (termed as ‘research vessel by China’) to Sri Lanka:
    • For e.g. in 2022, Chinese vessel the Yuan Wang 5, docked at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. It was considered a ballistic missile and satellite tracking ship.
    • China reportedly has 7 such tracking ship, which can operate in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. This ship-based monitoring adds to China’s land based tracking system.
    • Chinese continue to claim that these are scientific missions. But the Indian suspicion of China using these missions for military purpose, including intelligence gathering is also substantial.
• China is also using Hambantota port to refuel its warships and other ships that are present at any given point in time across western-eastern and southern ocean regions.
• Military Cooperation: China has provided military assistance to Sri Lanka including training and equipment. This cooperation strengthens China’s military presence in the Indian Ocean region
  and gives it greater influence over SL’s military policies.
• Huge Chinese debt to Sri Lanka:
  • China owns 52% of Sri Lanka’s debt. And thus, Sri Lanka is too dependent on China and may succumb to Chinese pressure and compromise India’s security.
• Economic Relations
  • Investments China has invested in road infra, power plants, railways, EEZ, water supply (softening) etc.
• Trade:
  • China has emerged as the largest trade partner of SL
  • Sri Lanka and China are negotiating an FTA.
• SL is also participating in China’s OBOR and under this China has built two ports – one in
  Colombo and another in Hambantota.
• Soft power: China is using various soft power mechanisms, such as cultural exchange programs and scholarships, to increase its influence in Sri Lanka. This approach is subtle, but plays an important role in shaping public opinion.

How has India tried to counter China’s influence in SL?

a. Economic Measures:

• India was proactive in supporting Sri Lanka during its financial crisis of 2022.
• Increased Investment: India’s investment in China has significantly improved. India is focusing on the development of ports, railways, roadways, housing infrastructure etc.
• India is also planning to build Trincomalee port. The port is envisioned as an Indian counterweight to Chinese development at Hambantota port.
• In 2015, India-Sri Lanka signed the civil nuclear agreement making India the first country to do so.

b. Increased focus on Connectivity:

• The 2023 visit of President Wickremsinghe to India primarily revolved around connectivity. India has focused on various types of connectivity (exploring land bridge, beginning of ferry after 40 years, maritime and air connectivity, energy connectivity, digital connectivity etc.).

c. Political:

• Recent bilateral visit between the two countries have increased.

d. Since 2014, India has abstained from voting on UNHRC resolutions against SL.

e. India is also collaborating with other regional powers like Japan and France to counter China’s influence in SL and promote a rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.

f. Other aspects of relationship as discussed in India-SL topic.

Conclusion:

India remains suspicious of China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and its influence on
SL, which is strategically placed halfway along key east-west international shipping routes.

Fishermen Issue

Example Questions

• What are the key factors behind Indian fishermen regularly trespassing into Sri Lankan waters? Suggest some measures to deal with the issue? [15 marks, 250 words]

Background

• The Palk Bay, a narrow strip of water separating the states of TN in India from Northern Provinces of Sri Lanka, has historically provided rich fishing grounds for both countries.
• Historically, the shallow waters of Palk Bay and geographical contiguity between India and Sri Lanka facilitated the movement of ideas, goods and men. The bonds of ethnicity, language, and religion helped fisherman lead lives of harmonious coexistence for several centuries. Frequent migration, inter-marriages were very common.

• During the height of civil war, SL had imposed ban on fishing because of fear of LTTE ‘s Boat Bombs. Indian fishermen exploited the situation and crossed IMBL (international maritime boundary line). During this phase there was perfect camaraderie among Indian Tamil and Sri Lankan Fishermen as Sri Lankan Tamils who came to India as refugees were also being employed by Indian trawlers.
• End of Civil War in SL in 2009:
  • The conflict has taken a new dimension since the end of Sri Lankan Civil war. The region has become highly contested site in the last 13 years.
  • Sri Lankan Tamils had lost ground to Indian fishermen.
  • Sri Lanka’s complain of frequent trespassing of Indian fisherman in its waters.

Main Issues (1. Kathchatheevu Island 2. Trespassing on IMBL 3. Economic and Environmental Issues)

• Kathchatheevu Island:
  • About the Island: it is an uninhabited and barren 285 acre islet. It is located around 14 nautical miles from Rameshwaram.
  • Ongoing disagreement over the territorial rights to the island of Kathchatheevu.

• • Maritime Boundary Agreement of 1974: PM of India Shrimati Indira Gandhi and PM of SL Sirima R.D. Bandaraike, signed an agreement to demarcate the boundaries between the two countries. A close personal relations between both Prime Ministers , Indira Gandhi and S. Bhandarnaike, facilitated the successful conclusion.
  • Opposition to agreement: During the parliamentary debate, most of the opposition including DMK, AIDMK, Jan Sangh, Swatantra and Socialist Party, staged walkout in both houses.
  • TN government and opposition parties had also criticized the transfer of Kathchatheevu and said that it didn’t reflect the realities on ground.
  • In the last 15 years, both Jayalaithaa and Karunaidhi had approached the Supreme Court on the matter.
• What is the current stand of GoI?
  • In Dec 2022, the Union government, while referring to the two agreements, pointed out in its reply in the Rajya Sabha that Kathchatheevu “lies the Sri Lankan side of the India-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line”. It also added that matter was subjudice in the SC.
• Note:
  • The 1974 agreement had allowed Indian fisherman some traditional rights around Kathchatheevu island.
  • St. Anthony’s Church there holds an annual festival either in Feb or March drawing devotees from both sides of the Palk Bay, a tradition which has been going on.
  • A supplemental pact in 1976 made it clear that fishing vessels and fishermen of the two countries “shall not engage” in fishing in the historic waters, territorial sea and EEZ of either of the countries.
• Trespassing by Indian Fisherman : Frequent poaching by Indian fisherman into Sri Lankan waters. This causes Indian fisherman from coastal TN and Puducherry getting frequently arrested by the SL navy for “poaching” or engaging in illegal fishing activity in Sri Lankan waters.
  • Several rounds of bilateral negotiations between the two countries and talks between fishing community leaders from both sides have been held over the years, but a solution remains elusive.
• Economic and Environmental damages due to use of mechanized deep water trawlers:
  • Deep water trawlers drag fishing nets through the seabed. The practice scoops out eggs, young fishes, and other marine organisms that eventually die and are thrown back into the sea.
  • This causes long term damage to both economy and environment.

Reasons for these issues

a. No well-defined boundary line between the two nations despite the 1974 agreement. It leads to fishermen trespassing into Sri Lankan waters in search of better catch.

b. LTTE issue had raised vigilance.

• To check intermittent flow of Tamil Refugees
• To prevent flow of armed supplies to Tamil Militant groups.

c. Historical Perspective

• Both Indian and Sri Lankan fisherman fishing in the Palk Bay area for centuries.

Other complaints against Indian Fishermen

• Deep Sea trawling: TN is yet to agree to the chief demand of the northern Tamil Fishermen – to stop bottom trawling to restore trust between both the sides.
• Misuse of Kathchatheevu rights given to Indian fishermen.

Impact

• Bilateral Relations: Cases of arrest of Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka leads to worsening of
  relations between the two countries.
• Economic losses: Unsustainable fishing from the region is depleting fishing resources of the region and impacting livelihood for fishermen on both sides.
• Palk Bay’s Marine ecology is also suffering impacting both environmental and economic sustainability.
• Increasing harassment of Indian fisherman : Sri Lankan Navy has taken tough stand on the breaching of International Maritime Boundary and resorted to arresting , killing and damaging
  of boats.
• Tensions between TN and Central government in India:
  • TN assembly has passed a resolution asking Indian government to take over Kathchatheevu island.

Possible Steps that can be taken

a. Developing fish farming extensively in Indian waters would prevent our fishermen from venturing into Sri Lankan waters for ‘big catch’.
b. India can also think of leasing fishing blocks, especially those identified as ‘surplus’ total available catch, from Sri Lanka.

• One option could be to get back the island of Kathchatheevu on “lease in perpetuity”

c. Strict and complete ban on mechanized trawlers – to preserve marine resources

• It is banned in Sri Lanka, so ban by India would ensure equal rights for Sri Lankan Tamils
• It would also reduce animosity between the fishermen of two countries.

d. Educate Indian fishermen to keep on the Indian side on high sea : Use devices integrated with GPS to check weather on Indian waters or not.

e. Greater cooperation between coast guards of the two countries.

f. Permit licenses Indian fishermen to fish within designated area of Sri Lankan waters and vice versa.

g. The two government could also consider the creation of Palk Bay Authority, comprising fishery experts, marine ecologists, fishermen’s representatives, strategic specialists, and government officials. It should include officials from both governments.

• The authority should determine ideal sustainable catch, type of fishing equipment that can be used, and the number of fishing dates for Indian and Sri Lankan fisherman.
• Special provisions could be made to protect the interest of traditional fisherman.

Conclusion:

• Fishermen issue has remained a bone of contention in the bilateral relations of the two countries for long now. The recent cordiality in relations between the two countries gives an opportunity of bringing back the issue of table and find a long-term sustainable solution to the problem.

Tamil Issue

Important concerns from India’s perspective:

• Repatriation of refugees currently in India
• Post war political and human rights issues:
  • Key concerns of Tamils include military involvement in civil life in north and eastern province, occupancy of land by armed forces; women security;
• Lasting political solution to address the grievances of Tamil people: 13th Amendment:
  • Born out of Indo-Lanka accord of 1987 – 13th amendment has remained a long pending demand of Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the main party representing the island’s Northern Tamils.
  • The amendment envisages substantive devolution of political powers to the provinces.
• India stands for United SL and devolution of powers to provinces.
  • PM Modi, in his press conference after meeting Mr. Wickremsinghe on 21st July 2023 aid: “We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka fulfill its commitment to implement 13th amendment and conduct provincial council elections”

In Aug 2023, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated his offer to the Tamils of implementing 13th Amendment without police powers, while proposing a step-by-step approach to devolving powers to provinces.

• Under the 13th Amendment, police powers have emerged as the most delicate issue in the transfer of authority to the Provincial Councils.
• The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the largest parliamentary grouping of Tamil legislators from the island’s north and east, ‘categorically rejected’ it saying that the proposal is far from meaningful power devolution based on federal arrangement.

India’s voting at UNHRC:

• Differences over former President’s reluctance to address post-war political and human rights issues relating to the Tamil minority led to India voting against Sri Lanka twice (2012 and 2013) at the UN Human Rights Council and abstaining once.
• But, since 2014, India has abstained from voting in resolution criticizing Sri Lanka.
• In 2022, also India abstained from voting on a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, while observing that Sri Lanka’s progress in implementing commitments on the 13th Amendment, meaningful devolution, and early provincial elections remains “inadequate”.
  • The resolution was passed, and called upon the government of Sri Lanka to ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of all alleged crimes relating to human rights violation and serious violation of international humanitarian law.
  • Earlier, in 2021 also India had abstained from voting a resolution against Sri Lanka.

Recent start of Ferry Service (Useful for Prelims)

• Passenger Ferry Service between India and Sri Lanka begins again after nearly 40 years (Oct 2023)

Background:

• Maritime linkage between India and Sri Lanka isn’t new. The Indo-Ceylon Express of Boat Mail ran between Chennai and Colombo via the Thoothukudi port from the early 1990s up until 1982.
• However, the Civil war in Sri Lanka resulted in the halting of these services.

Re-beginning:

• An international, high-speed passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam on eastern coast of TN and Kankesanthurai in the northern province of SL, has resumed from 14th Oct 2023.
• The high – speed craft (HSC) Cheriyapani, embarked on its journey with 50 passengers and 12 crew members.

Significance:

The initiative is aimed at bolstering bilateral ties, boosting tourism, and increasing people to people contact. It will bring our countries, people and hearts closer.

• PM Modi has called this a new chapter in diplomatic and economic ties between India and Sri Lanka.
• Increased connectivity between the two nations whose people have travelled across the Palk bay for centuries.
• The service will strengthen cultural ties by boosting religious tourism. From India, travelers can access significant religious sites in Colombo and southern parts of SL. Indian Pilgrim centers such as Nagapattinam, Nagore, Velankanni, Thirunallar, and temple towns such as Thanjavur, Madurai, and Tiruchi, are expected to see an influx of Lankan tourists.
• It will also strengthen cultural ties between the two nations as several religious places could be visited through this service.