India Sri Lanka Relations – Imp for UPSC

In our other article, we have concentrated on the relations between India and UK. This article will get complete information related to India Sri Lanka relations. It is one of the essential concepts for the UPSC IAS exam preparations. We all know about the UPSC IAS exam and its exam syllabus. Some so many students apply for the exam. However, only a few will make it to the end. Further, one can study independently or go for coaching classes. In addition, we have provided all information that will help you with the UPSC exam preparations.

Introduction

Sri Lanka is the neighbor country of India. Different relations form them it is political, cultural, educational, commercial, etc. All these relations make bod stronger between two countries. This article will provide all information related to the various concerns. It is essential for the IAS exam preparations. So make sure that you have noted down all points while reading the below article and study the same for the exam.

Key Points – India and Sri Lanka

To begin with, Sri Lanka is one of the neighboring countries of India. Further, both countries are entangled in a relationship that can be called 2500 years old. Additionally, it is the closest neighbor, and it is 30 nautical miles away from the territorial boundary. Further, they comprise of below relations.

• Intellectual Relation
• Cultural Relation
• Religious Relation and
• Linguistic Relation.

Background Information

• In the first place, The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old.
• Further, Tamils and Sinhalese are the two vital ethnic groups In Sri Lanka. Later, the Sinhalese eternal conflict with Tamils for power had been gathering strength since before independence.
• In addition, Tamils attended English Languages schools, and it was for better employment in the colonial period. Further, the Tamil-dominated Northern Province had comparatively better facilities in terms of education and employment.
• Later, post-independence, Sinhalese nationalism sought to curb the Tamil presence in education and civil administration. As a result, in 1956, “Sinhalese Only Bill” passed.
• Both countries have a legacy of intellectual, religious-cultural, and linguistic interaction.
• In recent times, significant progress in implementing developmental assistance projects has further cemented the bonds of friendship between the two countries.

Civil War Implications

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka started getting deteriorating in the 1980s with the rising of the Tamil militant separatism in Sri Lanka. Further, in 1987 Indo-Sri Lankan Accord was signed between India and Sri Lanka. In addition, After two years of constant military engagement, the IPKF was withdrawn as it failed to defeat LTTE. Later, in 2009, 25 years of violence ended when the Sri Lankan government seized the last area controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels.

India Sri Lanka Political Relations

Further, political relations between India and Srilanka have been marked by high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals. In 2015, Sri Lanka’s newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena made his first official visit to India, and PM Narendra Modi paid a return visit to Colombo in Mar 2015. Further, in 2019 the first overseas visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Sri Lanka. It was important as a symbolic gesture reflective of the special relationship between both countries. In addition, India has invited leaders of BIMSTEC member countries to attend the swearing-in of PM Narendra Modi and his council of ministers.

Commercial Relations

Further, talking about commercial relations, Sri Lanka is one of India’s largest trading partners among the SAARC countries. India’s exports to Sri Lanka amounted to $5.3 billion from 2015to 2017, and its imports from the country were $743 million. Further, these two countries’ trade grew particularly after the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000. Srilanka exports from the past several years since 2000 when ISFTA came into force. The agreement is named CEPA, which is yet to be signed between the countries. It aims to build on the momentum generated by the FTA and take the two economies beyond greater integration.

Trade Relations

Sri Lanka is India’s second-largest trading partner in SAARC, and India and Sri Lanka signed FTA in 1998, which facilitated increased trade relations between the two countries. Further, Sri Lanka has long been a priority destination for direct investment from India.

Cultural and Education Relations

Later, the two countries signed the Cultural Cooperation Agreement on 29th November 1977. Further, the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in Indian music, dance, Hindi, and Yoga. In addition, the two Governments also celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala in 2014.

Issues and Conflicts

• For new infrastructure projects, China has extended billions of dollars of loans to the Sri Lankan government. But, eventually, which was not suitable for India’s strategic depth in Indian Ocean Region.
• Further, China has also supplied arms and provided considerable loans to Sri Lanka for its development, and China invested sufficiently in the infrastructure of Sri Lanka.
• India and Sri Lanka signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, Sri Lanka’s first nuclear partnership with any country.
• India is also investing in Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development in the Northern and Eastern provinces.

The Fishermen Issue

Further, fishing conflicts are a constant issue between these two countries. The Sri Lankan authorities’ arrest of Indian fishers on the Sri Lankan side of the International Maritime Boundary Line in the Gulf of Mannar has been a long-standing problem. Sri Lanks faced illegal fishing by Indian fishers within its territorial waters across the Palk Strait. 

IAS Exam Suggestions and Other Details

• Know about the IAS exam syllabus and the IAS exam pattern of the paper. One can refer to the IAS previous year’s question papers.
• One needs to go through the various books and give mock tests as possible. It will help you to know your skills and how to improve them.
• Further, know which books are best for all subjects and make sure that you will study from them only. Reading newspapers is a must for the IAS exam.
• One must refer to the NCERT book, as these books are easy to understand and have good content.
• One must answer and practice. To write all essential points within a short time requires a lot of courses. Therefore, make sure that you practice answer writing regularly.
• One must make a proper timetable and give time for subjects. It is vital for one to take regular breaks in between studies. It will help you concentrate more on your studies.
• In addition, one must go through the official website to get the latest information on the exam. Click Here. Lastly, try to follow these tips to get the best results in the exam. We wish you good luck with the exams,

Conclusion – India Sri Lanka

To conclude, India shares a common cultural and security space with the countries in the South Asian region, especially Sri Lanka. Therefore, there is a need for India to focus more on its traditional and cultural ties to improve relations with Sri Lanka. Further, Mutual recognition of each other’s concerns and interests can improve the relationship between both countries. This article will help you by providing information related to India Sri Lanka relations. It is one of the vital concepts for the IAS exam. Get details of the other IAS exam study materials here, and we have added all information. Further, get complete information related to the IAS exam right from the application form to the results. Click Here.

As we have mentioned above, go through the site for details on the same, it will help with a better understanding. To clear the exam put all your effort and work hard on the exam. It is possible with all your efforts.

FAQs – India Sri Lanka

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