The relationship Sri Lanka shares with two Asian giants, India and China, needs special mention. Moreover, Sri Lanka needs to balance as both the Asian giants are in a tussle to dominate the Indian Ocean Region.
INTRODUCTION
The unique location of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean (centre of the Indian Ocean) has made Sri Lanka a geopolitically crucial state to world powers. Multiple trade routes pass around Sri Lanka. To point out, approximately 66% of the world’s oil and 50% of international shipments pass through Sri Lanka. Thus, Sri Lanka plays a significant role in securing the sea lanes through which this transit happens.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka has many natural harbours. If developed, they can become maritime hubs in the Indian Ocean.
The geographic location of Sri Lanka helps global powers access regional markets efficiently. Therefore, by keeping the economic interest in mind and the dominance in the IOR region, Sri Lanka has emerged as a torchbearer in securing the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
THE GEOPOLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INDIAN OCEAN
During the final years of the British Empire, eminent Indian Historian KM Panikkar stated:
❝While to other countries the Indian Ocean is only one of the important oceanic areas, to India, it is the vital sea. Her lifelines are concentrated in that area. Her [India] future is dependent on the freedom of that vast water surface. No industrial development, no commercial growth, and no stable political structure are possible for her unless the Indian Ocean is free and her shores are fully protected. The Indian Ocean must therefore remain fully Indian.❞
India and the Indian Ocean, 1945, p. 84
Furthermore, Pannikar presented the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean. Hence, laying the foundation for the Indian Ocean-centric foreign policy for India.
Notably, He also warned about the Chinese intention of a large-scale naval expansion. He invoked Hayreddin Barbarossa’s (Admiral of the Ottoman Navy) advice to Sulieman I, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire.
❝He who rules the sea will shortly rule on the land also.❞
Hayreddin Barbarossa, (d. 1546)
Two factors led to Indian attention toward the Indian Ocean Region:
- Firstly, The rise of the economic and military powerhouse of Asia, China. China is searching for more markets, routes, and resources to compete with its regional rival, India.
- Secondly, China is challenging the US hegemony in the East. As of now, the US is a debt-ridden, economically underperforming superpower. Furthermore, keeping the Chinese Navy in mind, the US has a military overreach concern.
THE INDIAN OCEAN GEOPOLITICAL RIVALRY
The Great game for dominance in the Indian Ocean Region is not new to the small Island nation, even if the competitors have changed from time to time. The IOR dominance rivalry shifted from Indo-US to Indo-China.
The Relationship between Sri Lanka with India, China and US have always been a tightrope for the Island nation.
During the early Cold War, Colombo tried to navigate between US-Soviet rivalry. To point out, Indians were close to the Soviets, and Pakistanis were to the US.
However, Colombo maintained a balancing act between Islamabad and Delhi. Because Sri Lankans always feared military consequences from India.
ZONE OF PEACE PROPOSAL INTRODUCED AT UN
In 1971, Sri Lanka proposed a ❝Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace❞ to the United Nations. The declaration raised concern about the growing military presence of great powers in the Indian Ocean. Later, the Republic of Tanzania also joined Sri Lanka.
Significantly, for the first time at the request of Sri Lanka, The proposal of establishing a zone of peace in the Indian Ocean was inducted into the agenda of the General Assembly. It was under an item entitled ❝Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace❞.
INDO-SRI LANKA: UNSTABLE TIES
Historically, there are three connecting dots between India and Sri Lanka. These dots form the basis of the Indo-Sri Lankan relationship.
The three connecting dots are:
- Firstly, the geographical proximity of Sri Lanka and India.
- Secondly, the cultural harmony and historical link between the two nations.
- Lastly, The presence of 2 demographic Tamil communities in both nations.
- One community is present in the Southern Peninsula of India. And the other is located in the Northern Peninsula of Sri Lanka.
However, the relationship between Sri Lanka and India has been fluctuating.
INDO-SRI LANKA STRAIN TIES
During the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, the Pakistani aircraft flying to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) needed refuelling. The planes were not able to fly over India.
Surprisingly, the Sri Lanka government allowed the refuelling of Pakistani aircraft at the Bandaranaike airport. For this reason, the diplomatic relationship between India and Sri Lanka became fractious.
During the 70s, there was heightened tension between Indo-Sri Lanka ties as Sri Lanka came closer to the US, diplomatically and economically.
But, in the current scenario, Beijing has replaced Washington. As a result, a rivalry has developed between India and China over Indian Ocean Region (IOR) dominance.
FISHERIES ISSUE: BONE OF CONTENTION BETWEEN INDIA-SRI LANKA
Territorial waters are the same for both India and Sri Lanka. To point out, the Northern part of Sri Lanka and the Southern part of Tamil Nadu lies in the same LBG. (LBG means Latitudinal Biodiversity Gradient. LBG is a requirement for the existence of marine life.)
In fact, due to the absence of oceanic currents, both sides’ fishermen depend on the same marine life.
Thus, incidents of fishermen straying into the Palk Strait and Gulf of Munnar are common.
There are four reasons for straying:
- Vague demarcation of maritime borders.
- The nations demarcate their maritime borders with the “International Maritime Boundary Line“. The IMB are imaginary lines. As a result, these imaginary lines are not visible in the waters, resulting in the crossing of the line by fishermen.
- Failure of the boat engine.
- Bad weather conditions. Due to sudden climatic disturbances.
- Lack of marine resources on the Indian side.
- Indian fishermen use trawlers. Trawlers are mechanised boats which use highly exploitative fishing nets. As a result, the excess use of trawlers has resulted in the depletion the marine resources on the Indian side of the maritime boundary.
Multiple times, Indian fishermen are arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy forcefully for crossing maritime boundaries, particularly crossing into Kachchatheevu island.
Surprisingly, despite having valid identification cards issued by the Tamil Nadu government, they are mistaken as smugglers.
THE KACHCHATHEEVU ISLAND: HISTORY AND CLAIMS
The Kachchatheevu isle is a tiny island in the Palk Strait. The island is about 10.5 miles from the Sri Lankan coast and nearly 12 miles from the Indian coast.
To Point out, Indian fishermen travel to the Kachchatheevu island (now part of Sri Lanka) because it is fish-rich.
The two reasons for being fish-rich are:
- Sri Lanka prohibits the use of trawlers. Thus, the Sri Lankans fishermen use traditional boats for fishing.
- The number of Srilankan fishermen is less in comparison to the Indian fishermen.
Historically, the tiny enclave was part of the Raja of Ramnad’s zamindari. (Ramanathapuram of Tamil Nadu).
From 1880 to 1885, Britishers gave the Island to Sri Lanka for root collection required for the process of dying.
Similarly, in 1913, the possession of the Island remained with Sri Lanka for Sankha shell exploitation and use.
However, after India’s Independence and the abolition of the zamindari system, the land should have passed to India or Tamil Nadu, legally. Yet, the government of India showed no effort to settle the legal ownership of the Island.
Under those circumstances, the Sri Lankan government retained possession of the Island. But, at the same Tamil Nadu also claimed its legal right over the Island.
However, in 1974, then-prime minister Mrs Indira Gandhi signed an agreement with the Sri Lankan government.
The contract gave possession of the Island to Sri Lanka but with three conditions :
- The Indian fishermen can use the island to rest.
- The Indian fishers can use the island to dry their nets.
- The fishers will be permitted to access the island to celebrate the annual St. Anthony festival.
However, the Agreement did not ensure the traditional fishing rights of Tamil fishermen. Hence, the issue of the ownership of Katchatheevu island, and Tamil fishermen using the island under its age-old fishing rights, remained unresolved.
IMPACT ON FISHING FROM PRE- TO POST-CIVIL WAR
Interestingly, the Sri Lankan Civil War lasted for 30 years.
The Sri Lankan government was engaged in war with the LTTE. Due to this, the Indian fisherman would easily sail from Rameswaram on the Indian coast to Talaimannar and Katchatheevu coasts, located in Northern Sri Lanka. Both regions are famous for the rich maritime resources in Sri Lanka.
Notably, The Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka were the stronghold of the LTTE. Thus, making it difficult for the Sri Lankan Coast Guards and Navy to guard their maritime boundaries.
For this reason, the Indian fishermen would safely enter the Lankan waters and do fishing. In addition, the fishermen used fishing trawlers for fishing.
Meanwhile, there was no incidence of shooting or arrest of Indian fishermen during the Civil War era.
However, after the end of the Civil War in 2009, LTTE was wiped out from Sri Lanka. As a result, the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard became active on its maritime borders.
As per data from 1983 till the mid-2000s, The Sri Lankans forces have killed a total of 132 Indian fishermen. They detained 90 Indian fishermen. Several fishermen were recorded missing.
Similarly, the Sri Lankans impounded 300 vessels.
SOLUTION: FORMATION OF JWG
There have more cases of attacks and arrests as the Indian fishermen entered the Lankan waters due to the depletion of marine resources on the Indian side. Therefore, both nations made arrangements to deal with the situations where fishermen mistakenly crossover the International Maritime boundary line.
In 2004, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka mutually established a “Joint Working Group on Fisheries.”
The primary motive of the JWG was to find a permanent solution to the fisherman issue.
JWG focuses on:
- Co-operation on patrolling.
- Setting up a Hotline between Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards.
- The introduction of effective tracking systems for fishing vessels.
- Release of Indian boats in Sri Lankan custody.
- SOPs for release and handing over of arrested fishermen.
- Discussion on measures to phase out bottom trawling in Palk Bay.
As a goodwill gesture, occasionally, the Sri Lankans release Indian fishermen and their boats.
Generally speaking, Delhi and Colombo have close cultural and religious ties. Hence, The fishermen’s issue could have a political impact on the relationship.
Notably, Sri Lanka cannot afford to hamper the economic ties as it is financially dependent on India to a greater extent.
CHINA AND SRI LANKA: A SPECIAL BOND
HISTORY
Chinese interest in controlling the maritime sea routes around Sri Lanka is nothing new. For example, in AD 1411, Zheng He, a Chinese Muslim Fleet Admiral of the Ming Dynasty treasure fleet, defeated King Vira Alakeshvara of the Kotte Kingdom (Sri Lanka).
Zheng was a Chinese mariner, diplomat, explorer and court eunuch of the Ming Dynasty.
Furthermore, he captured King Alakeshvara, his wife and some principal officials and took them to China as war prisoners. Zheng enthroned Parakramabahu VI as ruler of Ceylon. To point out, Parakramabhu VI was an ally of the Chinese.
This event directly links to how the Chinese view Sri Lanka as an important centre for international trade.
Notably, Colombo has always been on the geopolitical radar of Beijing.
In the 1960s-1970s, under the Prime Ministership of Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Sri Lanka adopted ‘Non-Alignment‘ as its official foreign policy. However, The Sri Lankans were pro-Chinese and pro-Soviet.
For Instance, the construction of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall reflected Sri Lanka’s pro-China tilt. The Colombo-based hall was constructed chiefly with Chinese capital, labour and engineering assistance.
EALAM WAR IV: CHINESE SUPPORT FOR SRI LANKA
After the 2005 Prime Ministerial election, Mahinda Rajapaksa was declared victorious. He announced an all-war on the LTTE in the same year.
Significantly, during the war, China supported Sri Lanka at the military, financial and diplomatic levels.
- Military assistance – China supported Sri Lanka with military aid.
- Financial assistance – After the war, Beijing promised to rebuild the damaged infrastructure.
- Diplomatic assistance – China acted on behalf of Sri Lanka in the United Nations.
- The diplomatic support to Sri Lanka was crucial at the UN, as Europe and US were demanding to punish Sri Lanka over human rights abuse in the civil war. The aid made a strong bond between Sri Lanka and China.
As per a recent stat, from 2005 to 2017, China spent nearly $15 billion in Sri Lanka.
To elaborate, Beijing has invested in various projects. Given below are a few:
- In 2017, China signed a deal for the Naval base at Hambantota.
- Sri Lanka allocated an oil exploration block in the Mannar basin.
- The Lankans gave a contract to China to build a Colombo port city.
- The city is very close to Kanyakumari(India).
- Sri Lanka awarded contracts for the development:
- Hambantota port,
- 1000 acre tapioca farm,
- Colombo-Ratnayake expressway,
- 900 MW coal-fired power plant at Nurachcholai,
- The Pallai- Kankesanthurai Railway Line and
- Jaffna housing complex for the army etc.
With Multiple projects in hand, the Chinese managed to create an “Arc of Influence” around India.
Most importantly, China plans to build a US $300 million tyre plant in Hambantota. The plant will export nine million tyres.
INDIAN COUNTER?
In contrast, Delhi also has the following projects in Sri Lanka:
- Oil block to drill in Mannar basin
- Construction of 500 MW coal power plant in Sampur, near Trincomalee.
- The project is a joint venture.
- A contract to build Palay Airport in north Sri Lanka.
- Development of Galle-Matara railway track.
- Building a rail track between Talaimannar and Madhu.
- In March 2022, India signed an agreement development of hybrid renewable energy systems on the three islands of Nainativu, Neduntheevu, and Analaitivu. All Islands are in the Jaffna peninsula.
Notably, the above-mentioned three islands are just 50km from the Tamil Nadu coast. Earlier Sri Lanka signed a deal with China. However, the Chinese backed off, seeking security concerns.
India has also opened three more consulates in Jaffna, Kandy and Hambantota. Hence, expanding its diplomatic reach to Sri Lanka.
INDIAN OCEAN RIVALRY: SRI LANKA’S BALANCING ACT
Notably, Colombo has many natural harbours. Both Delhi and Beijing would like to control these harbours. Thus, the rising importance of the Indian Ocean and Sri Lanka in international geopolitics has initiated a ‘Great Game’ between the Elephant and the Dragon.
Significantly, Colombo expects economic benefits from the economic superpowers. Furthermore, Sri Lankans can diversify their exports with this financial support. Thus, Sri Lankan political regime appeases both Delhi and Beijing.
However, despite all the economic benefits, Colombo needs to maintain its national sovereignty amid the tussle between the two regional powers.
THE ‘ELEPHANT-DRAGON’ TUSSLE IN IOR
To explain, on one side, Beijing, with its “String of Pearls” policy, wants to dominate the Indian Ocean Region.
The major two reasons for IOR domination are:
- First, PLAN (Chinese Navy), aims to expand itself from the Asia-Pacific Region to Indo-Pacific Region. Hence, moving ahead with its ambition to become a world-class force by 2050.
- Second, Chinese major trade routes and their energy resources transit through these IOR maritime routes. Thus by domination, Beijing wants to secure its routes and energy sources.
On the other side, Delhi wants to protect its coastline and Islands under its SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative in the Indian Ocean. In other words, India is highly dependent on high energy imports, trading routes, extraction of natural resources and sea-bed mining in the Indian Ocean Region. Thus, the Indian maritime security need in the IOR is crucial.
By and large, by keeping this geopolitical complexity in mind, Colombo must maintain a balancing act with both nations. After all, Sri Lanka is aware of the geopolitical aspirations of China and India.