Sri Lanka: The "Island First" Neighborhood
The relationship is define by "Security Interdependence" and India's role as the "First Responder" during the island's economic crisis.
- Bilateral Milestones & Diplomacy (2025–2026):
- PM Modi Visit (April 2025): Exchanged 7 key MoUs covering energy connectivity, health, and digital public infrastructure. Signed a landmark Defence Cooperation MoU targeting maritime security and coastal surveillance.
- Presidential Engagement (February 2026): Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited New Delhi for the India-AI Impact Summit, reinforcing regional AI and technological integration.
- VP Visit (April 2026): Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan visited Sri Lanka, prioritizing civilizational bonds and reviewing India-funded development schemes.
- Economic Integration & Infrastructure:
- Cross-Border Oil Pipeline: Plans initiated for a bilateral petroleum pipeline linking ports in Southern India directly to Trincomalee and Colombo.
- Grid & Land Connectivity: Feasibility studies underway for a subsea electricity transmission grid and a Palk Strait road bridge under the "Vision 2030" framework.
- Development Assistance: India extended a USD 450 million package for infrastructure reconstruction, including Trincomalee Port and Jaffna's Kankesanthurai Port development.
- SLUDI & Digital Integration: Funding Sri Lanka's Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI) biometrics scheme and enabling local UPI merchant acceptance.
- Operation Sagar Bandhu (November–December 2025):
- HADR Mission: Launched on November 28, 2025, to assist Sri Lanka after severe flooding from Cyclone Ditwah.
- INS Vikrant: Re-tasked from the Sri Lankan Navy's 75th Fleet Review to fly Chetak search-and-rescue sorties.
- Support Fleets: INS Udaygiri and INS Sukanya delivered over 1,000 tonnes of NDRF engineering equipment, medical supplies, and dry rations.
- Refugee Policy:
- Under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs exempted Sri Lankan Tamil refugees (who entered India on or before Jan 9, 2015) from standard penal provisions, clarifying they are not classified as "illegal migrants."
- Fisheries & Katchatheevu Dispute:
- Katchatheevu Island: A 285-acre uninhabited island in the Palk Strait. Ceded to Sri Lanka under the 1974 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement.
- 1976 Agreement: Formally established the boundary in the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal, prohibiting fishermen of both nations from fishing in the other's EEZ.
- Bottom Trawling: The primary friction point is the use of destructive bottom trawlers by Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, leading to frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy.
- 13th Amendment: India continues to press for the implementation of the 13th Amendment (derived from the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord) for devolution of power to the Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern provinces.
- Bilateral Exercises:
- Mitra Shakti (Joint military training exercise between Indian and Sri Lankan armies).
- SLINEX (Bilateral naval exercise focusing on maritime interoperability).
- Dosti (Trilateral coast guard exercise along with the Maldives).
→ 🏝️ Geographic & Marine Profile
- Status: Island nation separated from India by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar.
- Boundaries: Maritime borders with India (NW) and Maldives (SW).
- Islands/Features:
- Adam’s Bridge (Rama’s Bridge): Natural limestone shoals between India and Sri Lanka.
- Adam’s Peak (Sri Pada): Highest point of the island.
- Islands: Controls the Jaffna Peninsula, Mannar Island, and Nainativu islands.
- Infrastructure: India-assisted renovation of the Kankesanthurai Port in Jaffna.
Mains Keywords
- Net Security Provider: India’s role as the stabilizing force in Colombo.
- Hambantota Syndrome: The risk of "Debt-trap" infrastructure in the neighborhood.
- Grid Integration: Making energy markets "Bborderless."
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
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