Dipak Kurmi
(The writer can be reached at dipakkurmiglpltd@gmail.com)
In the heart of South Asia, India and Sri Lanka share a complex relationship shaped by history, mythology, and geopolitics. Despite their deep cultural and religious ties, their diplomatic journey has been fraught with conflict, strategic manoeuvring, and moments of both camaraderie and discord. A visit to the largely forgotten Ravan Mandir in Uttar Pradesh, believed to mark the birthplace of Ravana, serves as a striking metaphor for the dissonance in Indo–Sri Lankan ties. While India vilifies Ravana as the antagonist of the Ramayana, Sri Lanka venerates him as a heroic and wise ruler. This symbolic contrast reflects broader tensions in their relationship—where shared history is often overshadowed by political realities.
Sri Lanka has played a significant role in India’s spiritual and nationalist movements, and the goodwill extended by its people to Indian leaders is often overlooked in contemporary narratives. In the late 19th century, Sri Lankan Buddhist leader Anagarika Dharmapala gave speaking time to Swami Vivekananda in Colombo, which paved the way for his historic speech at the 1893 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. Decades later, Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Sri Lanka in 1927 saw widespread support for India’s freedom struggle, both morally and financially. Subhas Chandra Bose also sought backing for the Indian National Army during World War II. Even Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a champion of Dalit rights in India, visited Sri Lanka in 1954 to study the Buddhist social order before his conversion to Buddhism in 1956.
However, these moments of solidarity have often been eclipsed by the harsh realities of geopolitics. As J.N. Dixit astutely observed in his book Assignment Colombo, “Inter-state relations are not governed by the logic of morality. They were and remain an amoral phenomenon.” This sentiment was starkly evident in the 1970s when India became deeply entangled in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs. Declassified CIA documents reveal that India’s support for Tamil insurgents began well before its official intervention in the late 1980s. Driven by a mix of regional ambitions and security concerns, Indira Gandhi’s government provided clandestine aid to Tamil militant groups, viewing it as a means to counter Sri Lanka’s growing alignment with Western powers.
This intervention, however, backfired spectacularly. The Tamil insurgency spiralled out of control, leading to Sri Lanka’s descent into civil war. Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to send the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in 1987, under the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord, was intended to enforce peace but ultimately proved disastrous. Instead of stabilising the region, the IPKF became embroiled in direct conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), leading to allegations of human rights violations by Indian troops. The intervention ended in tragedy when Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in 1991 by an LTTE suicide bomber—a grim testament to the unintended consequences of India’s foreign policy.
Sixteen years after the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009, the island nation continues to grapple with economic instability, regional security concerns, and political upheaval. India, as Sri Lanka’s closest neighbour, remains a crucial player in its recovery. Yet, historical mistrust and geopolitical rivalries complicate their relationship. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, while symbolic, underscores a deeper strategic realignment. His administration has sought to assert a more active role in South Asia, strengthening economic and security ties with Sri Lanka while simultaneously countering China’s growing influence in the region.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has significantly altered the dynamics of South Asian geopolitics. Sri Lanka, facing an economic crisis, has leaned heavily on Chinese investments, particularly in infrastructure projects like the Hambantota Port. However, concerns over China’s “debt-trap diplomacy” have raised alarms in New Delhi. India fears that excessive Chinese influence could undermine regional stability and limit its strategic options. Thus, Modi’s outreach to Sri Lanka is not merely a diplomatic exercise but a calculated effort to maintain India’s foothold in the region.
Despite these economic opportunities, Sri Lanka remains wary of becoming overly dependent on India. The Tamil question continues to cast a long shadow over bilateral relations. While India has consistently advocated for the rights of Sri Lanka’s Tamil population, successive Sri Lankan governments have been reluctant to fully implement devolution measures promised under the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord. This unresolved issue continues to fuel tensions, making trust-building a slow and challenging process.
As Sri Lanka seeks to navigate its economic and political challenges, its relationship with India will play a defining role in shaping its future. The opportunities for collaboration are vast—trade, tourism, technology, and defence cooperation all offer avenues for strengthening ties. However, the ghosts of the past linger. The legacy of intervention, the unhealed wounds of civil war, and competing strategic interests ensure that Indo–Sri Lankan relations remain a delicate balancing act.
For Sri Lanka, the path forward lies in strategic diversification—engaging with India while maintaining diplomatic flexibility with other global players. It must also overcome internal divisions and build resilience against external influences. For India, a more nuanced approach is required—one that goes beyond geopolitical calculations and acknowledges the cultural and historical intricacies that define this relationship.
History has shown that the Indo–Sri Lankan relationship is neither simple nor linear. It is a narrative of forgotten bonds, political missteps, and strategic recalibrations. As the two nations move forward, they must learn from the past and redefine their partnership in ways that serve their mutual interests without repeating the mistakes of history. If Sri Lanka is to reclaim its agency in the region, it must seize new opportunities beyond its shores with bold strategies—before the market and geopolitical realities consume it.