The bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka holds significant geopolitical implications, shaping the dynamics of South Asian politics and regional stability. As neighboring nations with deep historical ties, these two countries share not only geographical proximity but also cultural, economic, and strategic linkages. Examining the geopolitical impact of their bilateral relationship unveils a complex interplay of interests, challenges, and opportunities that have far-reaching consequences not only for the nations involved but also for the broader South Asian region. From economic cooperation to security concerns and diplomatic collaborations, the intricacies of the India-Sri Lanka relationship contribute to the evolving geopolitical landscape, influencing regional power balances and fostering both cooperation and competition in this strategically vital part of the world.
Answer
India and Sri Lanka have a legacy of no intellectual, cultural, religious, and linguistic interactions of nearly 2500 years old. These reactions have myriad geo-political impacts, especially in the Indo-Pacific and regional groupings.
Impacts of relations in the Indo-Pacific:
- Balance of power in the indo-pacific: India is countering China’s String of Pearls strategy by:
● Strategic investments in Srilanka such as Trincomalee oil tank farms as a joint- ventures between India and Srilanka.
● Infrastructure in the pipeline:
● 1 billion dollar wind power projects in Mannar region.
● CEPA with Srilanka to boost trade.
● Container facility at Colombo port and developing Trincomalee harbor.
- Military exercises between India and Sri Lanka to facilitate skills exchange interoperability and collaboration between the two armies along with a statement of solidarity. E.g. MITRA SHAKTI, SLINEX.
- Geopolitical Impacts through regional groupings:
● Srilanka is a lead member of the science, technology, and innovation sector and human resource development sub-sector of BIMSTEC.
● India accounts for more than 70% of Srilankan trade with BIMSTEC.
● Growing engagement with Srilanka in BIMSTEC can compensate for the stagnant SAARC.(due to Pakistan’s obstruction)
● BIMSTEC can be therefore be an opportunity to connect with south-east Asia and become a hub for the wider Indo-Pacific region. - Geopolitical impacts through trade:
● India-Srilanka signed an FTA in 2000 with a bilateral trade of $6 billion in 2022.
● India is Srilanka’s largest trade partner as well as the largest FDI contributor at $ 2.2
billion especially in petroleum, retail, tourism etc.
● India has also provided concessional financing of $2 billion to Srilanka via various means in
needy times.
Amidst cordial relations, certain issues such as the fishermen’s rights issue in the Gulf of Mannar, the Katchatheevu island issue as well as tamil military have been the bone of contention. Concerted efforts are required to cement a formidable bilateral relationship and stability in IOR and Indo-Pacific.
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