Relationship between India and Sri Lanka
The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is complex and multifaceted.
It has shaped by a long history, geographical proximity, and contemporary geopolitical realities.
Here are some key points to consider:
Historical and Cultural Ties:
The relationship goes back over 2,500 years, marked by deep cultural, religious, and linguistic ties. Buddhism, Hinduism, and Tamil language are shared elements of their heritage.
Historical trade routes facilitated economic exchange for centuries, making India Sri Lanka's largest trade partner globally.
Political and Strategic Relations:
Being neighbors separated only by a narrow strait, they share common security concerns and maritime interests in the Indian Ocean.
India plays a significant role in Sri Lankan politics and has been actively involved in mediating conflicts, providing aid, and investing in infrastructure projects.
While valuing India's support, Sri Lanka attempts to maintain its sovereignty and avoid becoming overly reliant on its larger neighbor.
Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities:
The Tamil minority in Sri Lanka and their demand for autonomy have been a source of tension in the relationship.
India has historically advocated for their rights and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Both countries have benefited from growing economic interdependence, with India investing heavily in infrastructure projects and tourism in Sri Lanka.
The increasing presence of China in the region, particularly in Sri Lanka, has led to concerns about strategic competition and balancing power dynamics.
Proposal to establish land connectivity with India
The announcement by Sri Lanka’s President about a proposal to establish land connectivity with India has come none too soon.
Twenty years ago, in Chennai, then Prime Minister, floated the idea of building a bridge linking Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu with Talaimanar in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
This was part of his larger vision of regional economic integration, encompassing his country and the southern States of India and aimed at generating more opportunities for economic growth.
Whenever groups and parties claiming to represent the interests of Sinhalese-Buddhists expressed their opposition to the proposal on the ground that this would not benefit Sri Lanka, the talk of having expanded physical connectivity would die down.
In December 2015, when India’s Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Lok Sabha that the Asian Development Bank was willing to fund the bridge project of ₹24,000 crore, Sri Lanka’s response was muted followed by sharp criticism from the project opponents.
However, to the credit of Mr. Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the idea of land connectivity was not abandoned.
It found a mention in a joint statement issued in July after the two leaders met in New Delhi.
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