Day 86 – Q 5. What are the major issues of convergence and confrontation between India and Sri Lanka? Examine.

5. What are the major issues of convergence and confrontation between India and Sri Lanka? Examine.

भारत और श्रीलंका के बीच अभिसरण और टकराव के प्रमुख मुद्दे क्या हैं? जांच करें।

Introduction:

India and Srilanka have a relation more than 2500 yrs old and have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction. Though, Trade and security being the vital aspects of convergence of interests, there are certain aspects of conflicts due to historical and political reasons.

Body

Issues of convergence and confrontation:

• Strategic confrontation: India is apprehensive of Srilanka’s relationship with China. For e.g.
  • As part of Maritime Silk Route (MSR) policy, China built two ports, one in Colombo and another in Hambantota.
• building of Colombo international container terminal by China Harbor Corporation.
• Fisherman problem: Srilanka express concerns of Indian fishermen venturing into Srilankan waters in search of fish catch and very frequently arrests them.  India also detains Sri Lankan fishermen for the illegal fishing.
• Katchatheevu island: ceded to Srilanka by India in 1974 still causes conflicts as Tamilnadu fisherman and government traditionally believed that it belongs to them and therefore want to preserve the right to fish there.
• IDPs rehabilitation and War crimes: Painfully slow pace of rehabilitation of Tamil refugees is a sore point with India. Tamil Nadu is pressurizing New Delhi to bring punish Sri Lanka for war crimes. Repatriation of Srilankan refugees who came during the civil war is to be facilitated, but the clear roadmap for the same is missing.
• Srilanka is apprehensive and allege the big brotherly attitude of India. There were tensions on alleged meddling in Srilankan elections by India in 2015.
• The Indian support to Srilankan government during civil war was seen with resentment by the rebel group and there are tensions when they come into the power. 
• Ethno-religious nationalism: The election of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa —ushers in an authoritarian populist regime that upholds a form of ethno-religious nationalism. His closeness to Beijing worries India.
• Sri Lanka’s security dilemma: Growing too close to China could create problems with India while leaning too much in favor of India could affect Chinese military sales to the country and other aspects of their bilateral relationship. 
• Economic issues: India wants to go ahead with an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with Sri Lanka, replacing the aborted Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
• Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project: Aside from environmental and livelihood concerns of its fishermen, Sri Lanka is more concerned about the loss of container traffic at its Colombo and Galle ports.

Conclusion

India has been maintaining a healthy relation with Srilanka and have supported in international forums like abstaining from voting on resolution of alleged war crimes by Srilanka, signing civil nuclear agreement and so on. The 2 countries should work on mutual interest like signing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), comprehensive solution to Fisherman issue by means of accommodation, people – people connect through e-visa, ferry services and so on.