Modern Tools, Age-Old Wisdom: on India-Sri Lanka Relations

Context: The pandemic presents an opportunity for Sri Lanka and India to focus on the revitalisation of partnerships.

India-Sri Lanka relations:

• Historical and cultural ties: Due to cross-border discourse there was an advent of Buddhism to Sri Lanka since the time of Emperor Ashoka. 
• Colonial phase: The colonial expansion of European nations reshaped the ties.

• Labour from south India was brought to Sri Lanka to work in plantations. 
• The Indian freedom struggle had its influence on Sri Lanka. 
• Cross-border support for the revival of culture, spiritual practices and philosophies, and education. 

• Process engineering: By colonial powers for identification and categorisation of people was a factor in the emergence of separatist ideologies in both countries.

• This mindset is ingrained and accentuated in present politics. 

• Governance systems: Transformed into modern nations with constitutional governance under colonial rule.
• Security aspects: Sri Lanka’s strategic location makes the security of both countries inextricably linked. 

Way Forward:

• Atmosphere of peace and stability: Need to be ensured while pursuing non-aligned foreign policies of both countries.
• Focussing on common interests: Freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific, rules-based international order and peaceful settlement of disputes. 
• Encouraging Indian entrepreneurship: To make Colombo business hub, as logistical capacities and facilities for recreation keep improving in Sri Lanka. 
• Integrating the two economies: With special and differential treatment for Sri Lanka need to be considered. 
• Harnessing benefits in the modern value chains: By creating complementariness, using locational and human resource potential.
• People-to-people bonhomie: Through robust partnerships across the economic and social spectrum 
• Engagement of legislatures for promoting multiparty support.