THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 02 october 2019 (Two Asian powers and an island)

Two Asian powers and an island

• India’s diplomatic ties with its neighbours have been fairly on track except those with Pakistan. One of the important neighbours for India has been Sri Lanka with a shared culture, traditions, waters, mythology, religion etc.
• But in recent times China has been gaining greater importance in Sri Lanka because of its projects there. In this context, it is necessary to understand the diplomatic ties of Sri Lanka with the two Asian powers of India and China.
• Thus with delayed projects like the joint development of oil storage facility in Trincomalee is one such project which has been discussed for years, China seems to clearly have an upper hand considering the development projects.

Evaluation of ties

• China-funded infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka may look great, but India-Sri Lanka ties are deeper and more complex.
• India’s assistance during the 2004 tsunami and Mr Modi’s visit to Colombo in June (the first foreign dignitary to do so) in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attacks show India’s sincerity of approach.
• Though there were some bitter events between India and Sri Lanka like.
• Events such as the withdrawal of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in March 1990.
• The assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the LTTE episode there is scope for the ties to get better.

Way forward

• India needs to pay more attention to the development of the eastern and northern parts of Sri Lanka which were war-torn.
• Response from political leadership should be brought in India’s favour.
• India should also focus on the holistic development of Sri Lanka’s youth and the hill country Tamils, regarded as the most backward in Sri Lanka.
• There needs to be an attempt to encourage the voluntary repatriation of nearly 95,000 refugees who live in Tamil Nadu back to Sri Lanka and as a step towards this direction, the authorities should resume ferry services between Talaimannar and Rameswaram at the earliest.
• Thus it is suggested that a benign and comprehensive approach, backed by the sincerity of purpose, will not only earn India greater respect of Sri Lankans but also send a message to other international players about the strength of its ties with Sri Lanka.

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How India can improve the relations with Sri Lanka?