India and Sri Lanka are two neighboring nations located in South Asia, sharing a long history of cultural, economic, and political ties. India’s relationship with Sri Lanka is one of the most important in the region, and it has evolved through various phases over the years.
One of the most significant developments in the India-Sri Lanka relationship in recent years has been the China factor. China has been increasing its presence in Sri Lanka, investing in various infrastructure projects and ports. This has raised concerns in India, which sees China’s growing presence in Sri Lanka as a strategic threat. India has been trying to counter China’s influence in Sri Lanka by increasing its own investments in the country and strengthening its political ties.
In conclusion, the relationship between India and Sri Lanka is multi-dimensional, with cultural, economic, and political ties binding the two nations. While there have been some disagreements and conflicts in the past, the two countries have made significant efforts to improve their relationship in recent years. As the two nations continue to grow and develop, it is expected that their relationship will become even stronger in the years to come.
India and Sri Lanka have a long-standing history of economic cooperation, rooted in strong cultural and historical ties. Despite occasional hiccups in their relationship, the two countries have maintained a healthy economic partnership, which has only grown stronger in recent years. The economic relations between India and Sri Lanka, highlighting their key trade and investment links, and exploring the prospects for future collaboration are:
Trade between India and Sri Lanka has been growing steadily over the years. India is currently Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching a value of $4.6 billion in 2020. In the past decade, the trade balance has remained largely in India’s favor, with India exporting goods and services worth $3.7 billion and importing goods and services worth $900 million from Sri Lanka in 2020.
India exports a range of products to Sri Lanka, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, and food products. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka exports apparel, tea, rubber, and spices to India. The two countries have also signed a free trade agreement, which has further boosted their trade relations.
India and Sri Lanka have a long-standing relationship that goes beyond just diplomatic ties. One of the most crucial areas where both countries have collaborated extensively is defence. India and Sri Lanka have worked together to enhance their military capabilities and promote regional stability. Below is the overview of the defence relations between India and Sri Lanka:
India and Sri Lanka have had a history of defence cooperation since the 1980s. India’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s civil war is well-known, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990 to maintain peace and order. However, the deployment of the IPKF ended on a sour note, with the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 1991.
Despite this setback, India continued to provide military assistance to Sri Lanka, particularly during its battle against the LTTE. India provided arms, ammunition, and training to the Sri Lankan army, and its navy helped the Sri Lankan navy to prevent the LTTE from receiving supplies via sea routes. In 2007, India gifted two naval ships to Sri Lanka, which helped the island nation to enhance its maritime security capabilities.
In addition to bilateral cooperation, India and Sri Lanka have also worked together on regional security issues. Both countries are members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which provide a platform for regional cooperation on security issues. India has also played an active role in the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a forum for naval cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean region.
While India and Sri Lanka have made significant progress in enhancing their defence relations, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. One of the key challenges is the issue of Tamil separatism, which has been a contentious issue in Sri Lanka for decades. India has historically supported the rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka, and the issue has sometimes strained India-Sri Lanka relations. However, in recent years, both countries have worked to find a solution to this issue through dialogue and cooperation.
Another challenge is China’s growing influence in the region. China has been expanding its presence in Sri Lanka through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, which has raised concerns in India about China’s strategic intentions. India has expressed its willingness to work with Sri Lanka to enhance its economic and security capabilities, and this provides an opportunity for both countries to strengthen their defence cooperation.
India and Sri Lanka have a long history of defence cooperation, and both countries have worked together to promote regional stability and combat security threats. While there are challenges that need to be addressed, there are also opportunities for both countries to enhance their defence cooperation further. In a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, it is crucial that India and Sri Lanka work together to strengthen their defence capabilities and promote regional security.
Indian Foreign Policy and Foreign Relations
G20 Summit 2023: G20 Member Countries, Foundation
There are several aspects of cooperation that prioritise interpersonal interactions. Friendly connections exist between Sri Lanka and India thanks to public support as well. It was observed that A. T. Ariyaratne contributed to the Gandhian ideal of nonviolence and community service in Sri Lanka.
More than 2,500 years have passed since India and Sri Lanka first met. Intellectual, cultural, religious, and linguistic exchange between the two nations is history. The relationship has been characterised recently by close connections at all levels.
India has historically been one of Sri Lanka's biggest trading partners, and in the SAARC, Sri Lanka continues to be one of India's biggest trading partners. With a total bilateral merchandise trade of US$5.45 billion in 2021, India was Sri Lanka's largest trading partner.
According to data on international commerce from the United Nations' COMTRADE database, India exported to Sri Lanka for US$4.8 billion in 2021. The data, historical chart, and statistics on India's exports to Sri Lanka were last updated on March of 2023.
Sri Lanka is India's largest trade partner in South Asia. India is Sri Lanka's top international trading partner. Once the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement went into effect in March 2000, trade between the two nations increased very quickly.
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