DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

SABBAVARAM, VISAKHAPATNAM, A.P., INDIA

PROJECT TITLE: INDIA – SRI LANKA RELATIONS

SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE-2

NAME OF THE FACULTY: Ms. NIRMALA DEVI

Name of the Candidate: S. KRISHNA VAMSI

Roll No.: 2017095

Semester: 2

1
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to my teacher Nirmala

madam who gave me the golden opportunity to do the project of my interest on the topic (India-
Sri Lanka Relations), which also helped me in doing a lot of Research and I came to know about
so many new things I am really thankful to them.

2
 ABSTRACT

India–Sri Lanka relations have been friendly, but were controversially affected by the Sri
Lankan Civil War and by the failure of Indian intervention during the war. India is the only
neighbour of Sri Lanka, separated by the Palk Strait; both nations occupy a strategic position in
South Asia and have sought to build a common security umbrella in the Indian Ocean.
Historically and culturally, the two nations have been considerably close, with 70% of Sri
Lankans continuing to follow Theravada Buddhism to this day. In recent years Sri Lanka has
moved closer to China, especially in terms of naval agreements. India has signed a nuclear
energy deal to improve relations. India made a nuclear energy pact with Sri Lanka in 2015.

India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour. The relationship between the two countries is more
than 2,500 years old and both sides have built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious
and linguistic intercourse. Relations between the two countries have also matured and diversified
with the passage of time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance. In recent years, the
relationship has been marked by close contacts at the highest political level, growing trade and
investment, cooperation in the fields of development, education, culture and defence, as well as a
broad understanding on major issues of international interest. Today, the India-Sri Lanka
relationship is strong and poised for a quantum jump by building on the rich legacy of historical
linkages and strong economic and development partnerships that have been forged.

Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbour and is just 30 nautical miles away from
the territorial boundary. India has deep historical and cultural ties with this island nation. In this
post, we analyze the areas of co-operation between India and Sri Lanka. You can also learn about
the major issues between the two nations.

3
 SYNOPSIS

TITLE OF RESEARCH: RELATIONS BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA

INTRODUCTION:

The project is about relations between India and Sri Lanka. India–Sri Lanka
relations have been friendly, but were controversially affected by the Sri Lankan Civil War and
by the failure of Indian intervention during the war. India is the only neighbour of Sri Lanka,
separated by the Palk Strait; both nations occupy a strategic position in South Asia and have
sought to build a common security umbrella in the Indian Ocean. Historically and culturally, the
two nations have been considerably close, with 70% of Sri Lankans continuing to follow
Theravada Buddhism to this day. In recent years Sri Lanka has moved closer to China, especially
in terms of naval agreements. India has signed a nuclear energy deal to improve relations. India
made a nuclear energy pact with Sri Lanka in 2015.

RESEARCH QUESTION:

1. Whether the relations between India and Sri Lanka are good?
2. Whether Sri Lanka and India have any contemporary issues going on?

OBJECTIVE OF STUDY:

The objective of study is to prove that there are good relations between India and
China and to show the role of Sri Lanka in conspiracy issues with India.

LITERATURE REVIEW:

The secondary resources like websites are referred for the literature review.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

1. Nature of study: Analytical or Critical study.

2. Various pacts between India and Sri Lanka.

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SCOPE OF STUDY:

The study deals with the relations either good or bad relations that India has with
Sri Lanka and the role of Sri Lanka for maintaining good relations with India. The scope of study
is restricted to pacts which are made between India and Sri Lanka and the contemporary issues
between India and Sri Lanka which led to various disputes between these countries.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:

The significance of study is that the good things and the bad things between these
two countries and suggestions will also be discussed so that the countries can have better and
good relations in future. As these both countries are neighbors each one should help other for
peace.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 8

2. THE PAST RELATIONS.................................................................................................. 9

 EARLY RELATIONS ........................................................................................... 9

 DURING CIVIL WAR .......................................................................................... 9

3. POSITIVE RELATIONS ................................................................................................. 11

 Political Relations ................................................................................................ 11

 Development Partnership ..................................................................................... 11

 Commercial Relations .......................................................................................... 12

 Cultural Relation .................................................................................................. 13

 Nuclear Deals ....................................................................................................... 13

4. ISSUES AND CONFLICTS............................................................................................ 15

 India’s efforts to counter China ........................................................................... 15

 Fisherman Problem .............................................................................................. 15

 Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration ..................................................................... 16

6
5. GENERAL AGREEMENTS ........................................................................................... 17

 India–Sri Lanka maritime boundary agreements ................................................. 17

 Indian Peace Keeping Force................................................................................ 17

 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord ........................................................................................ 18

 India- Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement.............................................................. 18

 Nehru-Kotelawala Pact ........................................................................................ 18

 Sirima–Gandhi Pact ............................................................................................. 19

 Sirima–Shastri Pact .............................................................................................. 19

6. Miscellaneous................................................................................................................. 20

 2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests .............................................................................. 20

 India–Sri Lanka HVDC Interconnection ............................................................. 20

 Katchatheevu........................................................................................................ 20

 Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism .............................................................................. 20

7. SUGGESTIONS.............................................................................................................. 22

8. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................ 23

9. BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 24

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 1. INTRODUCTION

India is Sri Lanka's closest neighbour. The relationship between the two countries is more
than 2,500 years old and both sides have built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious
and linguistic intercourse. Relations between the two countries have also matured and diversified
with the passage of time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance. In recent years, the
relationship has been marked by close contacts at the highest political level, growing trade and
investment, cooperation in the fields of development, education, culture and defence, as well as a
broad understanding on major issues of international interest. Today, the India-Sri Lanka
relationship is strong and poised for a quantum jump by building on the rich legacy of historical
linkages and strong economic and development partnerships that have been forged.

Sri Lanka is India’s closest maritime neighbour and is just 30 nautical miles away from
the territorial boundary. India has deep historical and cultural ties with this island nation. In this
post, we analyze the areas of co-operation between India and Sri Lanka. You can also learn about
the major issues between the two nations.

Historically, relations between India and Sri Lanka have been fraught with controversies
and even high tension at times. There has always been an atavistic fear in Sri Lanka of being
dominated by India, the Big Brother just 30 nautical miles away from the island’s northern tip.
The fear became acute with the brazen Indian political and military intervention to settle the
Tamil question in the island nation in the 1980s.But now, due to the evolution of new thinking in
the corridors of power in New Delhi and the change of regime in Colombo brought about by the
Presidential and parliamentary elections of 2015, the two countries appear to have broken away
from the past and are moving towards mutual understanding.

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 2. THE PAST RELATIONS

Sri Lanka and India has good relations with each other because previous to separation with India,
Sri Lanka was part of India, there were no disturbances or conflicts before island being
independent. So this ‘the past relations’ tells us about the relations of India with Sri Lanka from
the age old days.

EARLY RELATIONS:

According to traditional Sri Lankan chronicles (such as the Dipavamsa), Buddhism was
introduced into Sri Lanka in the 4th century BCE by Venerable Mahinda, the son of Indian
Emperor Ashoka, during the reign of Sri Lanka's King Devanampiya Tissa. During this time, a
sapling of the Bodhi Tree was brought to Sri Lanka and the first monasteries and Buddhist
monuments were established. Among these, the Isurumuni-vihaara and the Vessagiri-vihaara
remain important centers of worship. He is also credited with the construction of the Pathamaka-
cetiya, the Jambukola-vihaara and the Hatthaalhaka-vihaara, and the refectory. The Pali Canon,
having previously been preserved as an oral tradition, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka
around 30 BCE.1

DURING CIVIL WAR:

 Background of civil war:

Tamils and Sinhalese are the two major ethnic groups In Sri Lanka. Sinhalese eternal conflict
with Tamils for power had been gathering strength since before independence. Many Tamils
attended English language schools which were the passport to higher education and better
employment in the colonial period. And the Tamil-dominated Northern Province had
comparatively better facilities in terms of education and employment. Post independence
Sinhalese nationalism sought to curb the Tamil presence in education and civil administration. In
1949 Indian Tamil plantation workers disenfranchised, the start of a wave of Sinhalese
nationalism which alienates the Tamil people in the region. The passing of the infamous
“Sinhalese Only Bill” in 1956 was an attempt in the same lines. The constitutional provisions in

1
https://en.wikipedia.org

9
the 1972 Constitution favouring the Sinhalese language and Buddhist religion, along with their
educational policies convinced many Tamils that they had been perceived as a marginal
community. As a result of open discrimination, in 1976 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) was formed to fight for Tamil rights and in 1983 Civil war started.

 India’s intervention in Sri Lanka’s Civil War2:

In the 1970s–1980s, private entities and elements in the Research and Analysis Wing and the
state government of Tamil Nadu were believed to be encouraging the funding and training for
the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist insurgent force. In 1987, faced with growing
anger amongst its own Tamils, and a flood of refugees, India intervened directly in the conflict
for the first time after the Sri Lankan government attempted to regain control of the northern
Jaffna region by means of an economic blockade and military assaults, India supplied food and
medicine by air and sea. After subsequent negotiations, India and Sri Lanka entered into an
agreement/13th amendment. The peace accord assigned a certain degree of regional autonomy in
the Tamil areas with Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) controlling the
regional council and called for the Tamil militant groups to lay down their arms. Further India
was to send a peacekeeping force, named the IPKF to Sri Lanka to enforce the disarmament and
to watch over the regional council. India declared the LTTE to be a terrorist outfit in 1992.
Bilateral relations improved in the 1990s and India supported the peace process but has resisted
calls to get involved again. India has also been wary of and criticised the extensive military
involvement of Pakistan in the conflict, accusing the latter of supplying lethal weaponry and
encouraging Sri Lanka to pursue military action rather than peaceful negotiations to end the civil
war.

2
https://www.clearias.com

10
 3. POSITIVE RELATIONS
 3
Political Relations :

Political relations have been marked by high-level exchanges of visits. Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister
of External Affairs of Sri Lanka visited India for the eighth meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint
Commission which was held on 22 January 2013. Prof. Peiris called on Prime Minister Dr.
Manmohan Singh and had a bilateral meeting with Minister of External Affairs Shri Salman
Khurshid during his visit. Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Textiles
visited Sri Lanka and inaugurated “The India Show - Land of Limitless Opportunities” at
Colombo.

The nearly three-decade long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came to
an end in May 2009. During the course of the conflict, India supported the right of the
Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces. At the same time, it conveyed at the
highest levels its deep concern at the plight of the mostly Tamil civilian population, emphasizing
that their rights and welfare should not get enmeshed in hostilities against the LTTE. The need
for national reconciliation through a political settlement of the ethnic issue has been reiterated by
India at the highest levels. India's consistent position is in favour of a negotiated political
settlement, which is acceptable to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka
and which is consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights. The
Government of Sri Lanka has conveyed its assurance that political proposals building on the 13th
Amendment to the Constitution will be discussed with the Tamil leadership of the country.

 Development Partnership4:

India is active in a number of areas of development activity in Sri Lanka. About one sixth of the
total development credit granted by India is made available to Sri Lanka.

In the recent past three lines of credit were extended to Sri Lanka: US$100 million for capital
goods, consumer durables, consultancy services and food items, US$31 million for supply of
300,000 MT of wheat and US$150 million for purchase of petroleum products. All of the lines of
credit have been fully used. Another line of credit of US$100 million is now being made
available for rehabilitation of the Colombo-Matara railway.
3
https://www.mea.gov.in
4
https://www.mea.gov.in

11
A number of development projects are implemented under Aid to Sri Lanka funds. In 2006-07,
the budget for Aid to Sri Lanka was Rs 28.2 Crs. A memorandum of understanding on
Cooperation in Small Development Projects has been signed. Projects for providing fishing
equipment to the fishermen in the East of Sri Lanka and solar energy aided computer education
in 25 rural schools in Eastern Sri Lanka are under consideration.

India have supplied medical equipment to hospitals at Hambantota and Point Pedro, supplied 4
state-of-the-art ambulances to the Central Province, implemented a cataract eye surgery
programme for 1500 people in the Central Province and implemented a project of renovation of
OT at Dickoya hospital and supplying equipment to it.

 Commercial Relations5:

India and Sri Lanka are member nations of several regional and multilateral organisations such
as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), South Asia Co-operative
Environment Programme, South Asian Economic Union and BIMSTEC, working to enhance
cultural and commercial ties. Since a bilateral free trade agreement was signed and came into
effect in 2000, Indo-Sri Lankan trade rose 128% by 2004 and quadrupled by 2006, reaching
USD 2.6 billion. India and Sri Lanka enjoy a robust trade and investment relationship, with
bilateral trade growing rapidly in the last decade and a number of leading Indian private sector
companies investing in Sri Lanka and establishing a presence in this country. Sri Lanka is India's
largest trade partner in South Asia. India in turn is Sri Lanka's largest trade partner globally.
Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the entry into force of the India-
Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000. Over the next eight years, bilateral trade
multiplied nearly five-fold. Following a downturn in 2009 on account of the global economic
recession, trade rebounded in 2010. According to Sri Lankan statistics, bilateral trade in 2011
amounted to US $ 4.86 billion, which is about 66% higher than 2010. In 2011, India’s exports to
Sri Lanka amounted to US $ 4.3 billion, which is an increase of about 75% compared to 2010.
Bilateral trade in 2012 amounted to US$ 4.002 billion, registering a decline of 17.59% as
compared to corresponding period of 2011. In recent months, the two countries have also
resumed discussions on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and steps to finalize
the Agreement are expected to be taken in the near future. Sri Lanka has long been a priority

5
https://www.mea.gov.in

12
destination for direct investment from India. India is among the four largest overall investors in
Sri Lanka with cumulative investments over US$ 800 million. India was the second largest
foreign direct investor in Sri Lanka in 2011, with an investment of US$ 147 million (out of a
total inbound FDI of US$ 1057 million). The last few years have also witnessed an increasing
trend of Sri Lankan investments into India. India's National Thermal Power Corp (NTPC) is also
scheduled to build a 500 MW thermal power plant in Sampoor (Sampur). The NTPC claims that
this plan will take the Indo-Sri Lankan relationship to new level.6

 Cultural Relation:

Cultural cooperation is a very important aspect of the bilateral relationship and the Cultural
Cooperation Agreement signed by the Government of India and the Government of Sri Lanka on
29 November, 1977 at New Delhi forms the basis on which the periodic Cultural Exchange
Programmes between the two countries are signed and implemented. The Programme of Cultural
Cooperation (PCC) for 2010-2013 seeks to enhance the level of cooperation in a wide variety of
fields such as performing arts, visual arts, libraries, museums, archives & cultural
documentation, archaeology, handicrafts, sports and youth affairs, publications and professional
exchanges and mass media. The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness
of Indian culture by offering classes in Indian music, dance, Hindi and Yoga. Every year,
cultural troupes from both countries exchange visits. India and Sri Lanka also commemorated the
2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi)
through joint activities. An International Buddhist Conference on the theme "Cultural Interface
between India and Sri Lanka based on Buddhist History, Art, Literature and Philosophy"
organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) was inaugurated by President
Rajapaksa at Kandy from 19-20 March 2011. It is for the second time since their discovery that
the Sacred Kapilavastu Relics have travelled to Sri Lanka from India’s National Museum. The
first Exposition was in 1978.

 Nuclear Deals7:

Civilian nuclear agreement was signed with India, signaling it had overcome apprehensions
raised by the Rajapaksa government over safety issues surrounding India’s Koodankulam

6
https://en.wikipedia.org
7
https://www.neoias.com

13
nuclear power project, which is located 250 km off the Lankan coast. Importantly, Sri Lanka
needs the funds that China is providing it with. Its postwar reconstruction needs, especially in
infrastructure, is high. China’s role in Sri Lanka will be determined not just by what role
Colombo wants it to play but also by China’s interests in Sri Lanka. “Beijing’s interest in Sri
Lanka is not just in the market it provides for Chinese goods but in the strategic advantage it
offers China through an influential presence there,” the diplomat said. Sri Lanka’s location in the
Indian Ocean, just a few kilometers from the Indian coast and near one of the busiest sea lanes in
the world – one that carries much of the oil that fuels the Chinese economy – makes it attractive
to Beijing. India believes that China’s interest in Sri Lanka and its growing footprint there is part
of an encirclement strategy to contain India and that Beijing will use its huge influence in Sri
Lanka to secure a military presence there. China, he says, “is cultivating influence not by overt
military presence but by encouraging people-to-people contacts, offering scholarships,
sponsoring conference trips, and boosting Chinese tourism in India’s neighboring countries. This
softly, softly, approach is more effective and far more difficult for India to counter. Indeed India
may convince the Sirisena government to trim its defense and security co-operation with China,
but asking it to halt Beijing’s exercise of soft power in Sri Lanka will be difficult. Importantly,
Delhi must understand that it cannot counter Chinese influence in Sri Lanka by badgering or
bullying Colombo to cut back on co-operating with Beijing or dictating who its friends and allies
should be.8

8
https://thediplomat.com

14
 4. ISSUES AND CONFLICTS

 India’s efforts to counter China9:

In 2014 India abstained from voting on a UNHRC resolution calling for a probe into
alleged war crimes by Sri Lanka. And it helped to revamp the century-old relationship
with Sri Lanka. (While Pakistan and China voted against the resolution). In a sign of a
closer strategic partnership between Sri Lanka and India, they signed civil nuclear
cooperation agreement which is Sri Lanka’s first nuclear partnership with any country. In
the wake of China’s economic dominance in the island, India is also entering into Sri
Lanka’s mega project business in a big way by focusing on infrastructure development in
the Northern and Eastern provinces. India is also planning to build Trincomalee Port. The
port is envisioned as an Indian counterweight to Chinese developments at Hambantota
Port.
 Fisherman Problem10:

Fishing disputes have been a constant area of concern between the two South Asian
neighbors for a long time. Sri Lanka has long expressed concerns about illegal fishing by
Indian fishermen within its territorial waters across the Palk Strait. The country regularly
arrests Indian fishermen for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL)
that demarcates Indian and Sri Lankan waters. India also detains Sri Lankan fishermen
for the illegal fishing. There have been several alleged incidents of Sri Lankan Navy
personnel firing on Indian fishermen fishing in the Palk Strait, where India and Sri Lanka
are only separated by 12 nautical miles. The issue is because of Indian fishermen using
mechanized trawlers which deprives the Sri Lankan fishermen including Tamils of their
catch and also damaging their fishing boats. The Sri Lankan government wants India to
ban use of mechanized trawlers in the palk strait region and the negotiations on the same
are going on. So far no concrete agreement has been reached since India favors regulating
these trawlers instead of banning them altogether. Anger amongst the Sri Lankan side is
also because the use of mechanized trawlers is ecologically damaging.11

9
https://www.mea.gov.in
10
ibid
11
https://www.clearias.com

15
  Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration:

Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration (TFAII) is a task force deployed by the Sri Lanka
Army from 1963 from 1981 to counter illegal immigration from South India. It was the
first field formation deployed by the Ceylon Army. Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration
(TFAII) is a task force deployed by the Sri Lanka Army from 1963 from 1981 to counter
illegal immigration from South India. It was the first field formation deployed by the
Ceylon Army. TFAII originated from "Operations Monty" named after then Minister of
External Afars and Defense, Major Montague Jayawickrama in 1952 to stop illegal
immigration of Indian Tamils repatriated to India after they were refused citizenship by
the government of Ceylon. In 1963, operation was renamed as Task Force Anti Illicit
Immigration as a formation in support of Royal Ceylon Navy coastal patrols and police
operations. Initially army contribution was known as "Army Force M" consisted of an
infantry battalion with support units based in the coast of Mannar. After 1972, TFAII
shifted its focus to counter insurgency operations with the raise of the Tamil militancy. It
was disbanded in 1981 with the on set of the Sri Lankan Civil War.12

12
https://www.neoias.com

16
 5. GENERAL AGREEMENTS

 India–Sri Lanka maritime boundary agreements13:

India–Sri Lanka maritime boundary agreements were held in 1974 and 1976 between
India and the Sri Lanka that define the international maritime boundary between the two
states. Treaties on maritime boundary were necessary to facilitate law enforcement and
resource management, and to avoid conflict, in the waters since both countries located
closely in the Indian ocean, particularly in Palk Strait. The first agreement was concluded
in 1974 between two states regarding to maritime boundary in historic waters of Palk
Strait. The first agreement was signed on March 22, 1976 in order to define the maritime
boundaries in Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal and related matters. The second
agreement between two states was to sort the boundaries in the Gulf of Mannar and Bay
of Bengal. India, Sri Lanka and Maldives signed another agreement for determination of
the tri-junction point in the Gulf of Mannar in July 1976. Later in November, India and
Sri Lanka signed another agreement to extend the maritime boundary in the Gulf of
Mannar.

 Indian Peace Keeping Force14:

Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was the Indian military contingent performing a
peacekeeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990. It was formed under the
mandate of the 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan Accord that aimed to end the Sri Lankan Civil War
between militant Sri Lankan Tamil nationalists such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan military. The main task of the IPKF was to disarm the
different militant groups, not just the LTTE. It was to be quickly followed by the
formation of an Interim Administrative Council. These were the tasks as per the terms of
the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, signed at the behest of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Given the escalation of the conflict in Sri Lanka, and with the pouring of refugees into
India, Gandhi took the decisive step to push this accord through. The IPKF was inducted
into Sri Lanka on the request of Sri Lankan President J. R. Jayewardene under the terms
of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord.
13
www.hcicolombo.org
14
ibid

17
  Indo-Sri Lanka Accord15:

The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord was an accord signed in Colombo on 29 July 1987,
between Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J. R.
Jayewardene. The accord was expected to resolve the Sri Lankan Civil War by enabling
the thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and the Provincial Councils
Act of 1987. Under the terms of the agreement, Colombo agreed to a devolution of power
to the provinces, the Sri Lankan troops were to be withdrawn to their barracks in the
north and the Tamil rebels were to surrender their arms.

 India- Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement16:

The India – Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) was signed on 28th December,
1998 with the overall objective of facilitating and enhancing trade relations between the
two countries in order to broaden economic integration and realize potential benefits
thereof. It entered into force on 1st March, 2000. The objectives of the ISFTA as stated in
the Agreement are: (i) To promote through the expansion of trade the harmonious
development of the economic relations between India and Sri Lanka. (ii) To provide fair
conditions of competition for trade between India and Sri Lanka. (iii) In the
implementation of this Agreement the Contracting Parties shall pay due regard to the
principle of reciprocity. (iv) To contribute in this way, by the removal of barriers to
trade, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade.

 Nehru-Kotelawala Pact17:

The Nehru-Kotelawala Pact was an agreement that was signed between Jawaharlal
Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, and John Kotelawala, the Prime Minister of Sri
Lanka, on 18 January 1954. It was an agreement in regarding to the status and future of
people of Indian origin in Ceylon. They were brought by British from Madras Presidency
in British India to work in tea, coffee and coconut plantations of British Ceylon. In the
pact, India accepted in principle the repatriation of Indian population in Ceylon. But
Jawaharlal Nehru only supported voluntary repatriation of those who voluntary accepted

15
www.hcicolombo.org
16
https://www.neoias.com
17
https://en.wikipedia.org

18
 Indian citizenship. India disagreed on Sri Lankan position that suggested granting Indian
citizenship to people, who failed to qualify for Sri Lankan citizenship.

 Sirima–Gandhi Pact18:

The Sirima–Gandhi Pact or Srimavo-Gandhi Pact was an agreement that was signed between
Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and Indira Gandhi, the Prime
Minister of India, on 28 June 1974.[1] It was a follow-up agreement of Sirima-Shastri Pact
that left 150,000 people of Indian origin in Sri Lanka to future account. Sirima-Shastri Pact
agreed to grant Ceylonese citizenship to 300,000 Indian population in Sri Lanka and 525,000
people repatriation to India. The pact is considered as one of the good relationship factors
between India and Sri Lanka since it contributed to solve the issues of stateless Indian origin
people in Sri Lanka.

 Sirima–Shastri Pact19:

The Sirima–Shastri Pact or Srimavo-Shastri Pact (also known as the Indo-Ceylon Agreement
and Bandaranaike-Shastri Pact) was an agreement that was signed between Sirimavo
Bandaranaike, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Prime Minister
of India, on 30 October 1964. Officially, it was known as Agreement on Persons of Indian
Origin in Ceylon. It was a significant agreement in determining the status and future of
people of Indian origin in Ceylon. In 1964, both countries had newly elected prime ministers,
and new rounds of negotiations were initiated. The negotiations were initially scheduled to
last four days, but eventually ended up taking six. On several occasions they came close to
collapse. Finally, both countries agreed to a pact, negotiating a formula that satisfied both
governments.

18
https://en.wikipedia.org
19
https://www.neoias.com

19
 6. MISCELLANEOUS

 2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests20:

The 2013 Anti–Sri Lanka protests are a series of student protests and agitations initiated by
the Students Federation for Freedom of Tamil Eelam in Tamil Nadu, India, against war
crimes committed against Sri Lankan Tamil people by Sri Lankan army during the Eelam
War IV. The protesters demanded that the Government of India vote in support of a United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution censuring the Government of Sri Lanka
for war crimes. Some radical groups even demanded the prosecution of the President of Sri
Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse for his role in the alleged genocide of Sri Lankan Tamils. Apart
from college students, doctors, film personalities and employees of IT companies also
participated in the protests.

 India–Sri Lanka HVDC Interconnection21:

The India – Sri Lanka HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) Grid Interconnection is a
proposed project to link the national grids of India and Sri Lanka. The project involves the
construction of a HVDC connection between Madurai in southern India, and Anuradhapura
in central Sri Lanka, through the Palk Strait. The link would measure 285 kilometres (177
mi) in length, including 50 kilometres (31 mi) of submarine cables, and would take more
than three years to construct. It would be implemented by the Power Grid Corporation of
India Limited and Ceylon Electricity Board.

 Katchatheevu22:

Katchatheevu is an uninhabited island administered by Sri Lanka and was a disputed territory
claimed by India until 1976. The island is located between Neduntheevu, Sri Lanka and
Rameswaram, India and has been traditionally used by both Sri Lankan Tamil and Tamil
Nadu fishermen. The island originated from a volcanic eruption that occurred in the 14th
century. In 1974 India recognized Sri Lankan ownership of the island on a conditional

20
https://thediplomat.com
21
https://en.wikipedia.org
22
www.newindianexpress.com

20
 agreement. St. Antony's shrine is one of a kind which shares the borders of both countries
India and Sri Lanka, and declared holy place by both Governments.

 Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism23:

Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism is the conviction of the Sri Lankan Tamil people, a minority
ethnic group in the South Asian island country of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon), that
they have the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community. This
idea has not always existed. Sri Lankan Tamil national awareness began during the era of
British rule during the nineteenth century, as Tamil Hindu revivalists tried to counter
Protestant missionary activity. The revivalists, led by Arumuga Navalar, used literacy as a
tool to spread Hinduism and its principles.

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 7. SUGGESTIONS

 Both countries can work out together to evolve agreement to permit licensed Indian
fishermen to fish in Lankan waters.
 Establish a Joint Palk Bay Authority comprising representatives of the governments of
India and Sri Lanka, fisheries and marine experts and fishermen of both the countries to
regulate fishing activity in the Bay.
 The authority could decide the permissible annual catch, type of fishing equipment to be
used, allot equitable fishing dates to both groups of fishermen (three days each per week
for the two sides and one-day holiday), define non-fishing zones, identify means of
safeguarding interests of traditional fishermen and identify alternative livelihood too.
 Fishermen from the India can be rehabilitated by deploying them in deep sea fishing and
processing vessels.
 Start joint-venture initiatives involving Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen in deep sea
fishing by introducing multiday boats and giant fishing and fish-processing vessels in
international waters. It will act as a boost for the deteriorated relations
 Indian Navy and Coast Guard and their SL counterparts should engage more, evolve
standard practices, and coordinate more on information sharing and other Confidence
building measures (CBM).

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 8. CONCLUSION

India shares a common cultural and security space with the countries in the South Asian
region especially Sri Lanka. As a prominent Asian nation with critical national interests in South
Asia, India has a special responsibility to ensure peace and stability in its closest neighbourhood.
India should shed its big brother image and actively take part to rebuild the war-torn country. Sri
Lanka acts as both shield and as a bomb but depends on its acts, if China try to attack us, if Sri
Lanka is on our side then it acts as shield to our country, if it is against India then it acts as bomb
and Sri Lanka supporting other countries to attack us will be bad part on it and India will be in
bad situation if it is done so. India needs the support of Sri Lanka to emerge as a Blue water navy
in the Indian Ocean and also in pursuing the permanent membership in United Nations Security
Council (UNSC). Therefore, the two countries should recognize the legitimacy of each other’s
concerns and operate in a way which is mutually beneficial.

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 9. BIBLIOGRAPHY

e- sources :

 https://en.wikipedia.org

 https://www.clearias.com

 https://www.mea.gov.in

 https://www.neoias.com

 https://thediplomat.com

 www.hcicolombo.org

 www.newindianexpress.com

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