India and Sri Lanka share millennia-old civilizational, cultural, and ethnic ties, reinforced by geographical proximity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). While cooperation has deepened in areas like security, trade, and disaster relief, irritants such as the Katchatheevu island sovereignty issue and recurring fishermen disputes in the Palk Strait continue to challenge bilateral trust and political stability.
Significance of Relationship:
- Historical-Cultural linkages: Buddhism travelled from India to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE. Shared Hindu–Buddhist pilgrimages like Ramayana Trail (Sri Lanka) and Bodh Gaya–Sarnath (India) continue to bind societies.
- Maritime Security in IOR: Both collaborate in SLINEX (Naval), MITRA SHAKTI (Army), and MILAN exercises.
- Economic and Energy Links: $4 bn Indian aid during Sri Lanka’s 2022–23 economic crisis. Energy projects such as LNG pipeline, Sampur power project, and grid connectivity under discussion.
- Diplomatic Cooperation: India backed Sri Lanka at IMF for $2.9 bn bailout (2023) while Sri Lanka supports India’s UNSC non-permanent seat (2028–29).
- Ethnic & Diaspora Connections: Around 1.6 million Indian-origin Tamils (IOTs) reside in Sri Lanka, originally brought during colonial times for plantation work. Strong familial, linguistic, and cultural ties exist between Tamil Nadu and Northern Sri Lanka, creating deep people-to-people linkages.
Core Irritants in Bilateral Relations:
Katchatheevu Dispute:
- Small uninhabited volcanic island (285 acres) in Palk Strait, ceded to Sri Lanka under the 1974 & 1976 Indo-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Agreements.
- Treaty allowed Indian fishermen access for rest, drying nets, and St. Anthony’s festival, but did not grant fishing rights.
- Tamil Nadu argues that the island was historically under the Ramanad Kingdom (Madras Presidency) and blames the cession for depriving fishermen of traditional grounds.
Fishermen Issue:
- Shared waters between Tamil Nadu & Northern Sri Lanka have centuries of common fishing.
- Conflict arises from Indian mechanised bottom trawlers crossing into Sri Lankan waters, destroying coral beds, shrimp habitats, and fish stocks.
- Sri Lanka banned bottom trawling in 2017 under FAO guidelines (1995), but Indian vessels continue, leading to arrests, boat seizures, and violence.
- Post-2009, after the LTTE conflict, Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen reclaimed waters, intensifying competition.
Other irritants:
Chinese Influence:
- China’s growing footprint in Sri Lanka through projects like Hambantota Port (99-year lease) and Colombo Port City creates security anxieties for India.
- Regular docking of Chinese research/surveillance vessels (e.g., Yuan Wang-5 in Hambantota in 2022, Shi Yan-6 in 2023) raises fears of maritime espionage against India.
Tamil Ethnic Issue & 13th Amendment:
- 1987 Indo–Sri Lanka Accord committed Sri Lanka to devolve powers to provinces via the 13th Amendment.
- Continued delays in implementing it have fuelled discontent among Sri Lankan Tamils, which resonates in Tamil Nadu politics.
- India faces domestic political pressure to champion Tamil rights, which Sri Lankan Sinhala nationalists see as “interference.”
Trade & Economic Asymmetries:
- Though India is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner and top source of FDI, non-tariff barriers and delays in implementing CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) have stalled deeper integration.
Way Forward:
Fisheries Cooperation Mechanism:
- Joint India–Sri Lanka working group for seasonal/limited fishing rights, stock conservation, and deep-sea fishing training for Tamil Nadu fishers.
- Providing subsidies and skill support for alternative livelihoods.
Diplomatic Engagement:
- Respect pacta sunt servanda which stresses that treaties must be honoured.
- Promote community-level sensitisation which highlight shared Tamil hardships across borders to reduce hostility.
Broader Cooperation:
- Enhance energy, connectivity, & cultural diplomacy (Ramayana Trail, Buddhist circuit).
- Leverage BIMSTEC & IORA for regional maritime security.
Conclusion:
The Katchatheevu and fishermen issues symbolize the intersection of livelihood, ecology, and sovereignty in India–Sri Lanka ties. While they remain politically sensitive, a balanced approach combining legal respect, humanitarian considerations, and sustainable fisheries management can convert irritants into opportunities. Strengthening mutual trust is essential for realizing the vision of Neighbourhood First and SAGAR.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- India gave $4 bn aid (2022–23) during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
- FAO Code of Responsible Fisheries (1995) prohibits destructive trawling.
- UNCLOS (1982, Art. 123) calls for cooperation in semi-enclosed seas.
- SLINEX-2023 Naval Exercise enhances maritime coordination.
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