INDIA-SRILANKA
The relationship between China and Sri Lanka is multifaceted, encompassing various aspects such as trade, investment, infrastructure development, and geopolitical cooperation.
Here are some key points about their relationship:
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Historical Ties: China and Sri Lanka have a history of friendly relations dating back centuries, with cultural and trade exchanges documented as early as the 5th century AD.
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Economic Cooperation: China is one of Sri Lanka's largest trading partners and a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI). Trade between the two countries has been growing steadily over the years, with China exporting machinery, electronics, and textiles to Sri Lanka while importing tea, rubber, and other commodities.
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Infrastructure Development: China has been involved in several major infrastructure projects in Sri Lanka, including the construction of ports, highways, power plants, and airports. One of the most notable projects is the Hambantota Port, which was built with Chinese assistance.
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Debt and Criticism: Some of the infrastructure projects financed by China in Sri Lanka have faced criticism for their high costs and alleged lack of transparency. Concerns have been raised about Sri Lanka's growing debt to China and the potential for Beijing to exert undue influence through debt-trap diplomacy.
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Geopolitical Dynamics: China's increasing presence in Sri Lanka, particularly through its investments in strategic infrastructure projects, has raised concerns among India and other countries in the region. Sri Lanka's location in the Indian Ocean makes it of strategic importance to China's maritime ambitions, leading to scrutiny and sometimes tensions with other regional powers.
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Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Beyond the economic and geopolitical aspects, China and Sri Lanka also engage in cultural exchanges and cooperation in areas such as education, tourism, and technology
- The fishing disputes are often related to the maritime boundaries in the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The region has rich fishing grounds, and the delineation of boundaries has been a source of contention
- Fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka have traditionally relied on fishing in these shared waters. However, the maritime boundaries have been disputed, leading to conflicts over fishing rights
- Both countries accuse each other's fishermen of engaging in IUU fishing, which includes using unauthorized gear, encroaching into prohibited areas, and over-exploiting marine resources. This exacerbates the tensions in the region.
- Incidents of Indian fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy and vice versa are not uncommon. Boats and fishing equipment are often confiscated during these incidents, causing economic hardships for the affected communities
- Both India and Sri Lanka have engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the issue. Bilateral talks, joint working groups, and high-level discussions have been attempted to find a resolution. However, progress has been slow and the issue persists
- The fishing issue also has humanitarian dimensions, as many of the arrested fishermen are from poor communities who depend on fishing for their livelihood. Their detention and the seizure of their boats impact the socio-economic conditions of these communities
As per information from the Joint Working Group on Fisheries (JWGF), Sri Lanka's Northern Province currently detains 111 boats belonging to fishermen from Tamil Nadu, along with 51 Indian fishermen. The reasons behind these detentions include an ongoing dispute regarding territorial rights to Kachchatheevu Island, frequent incursions by Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters, and the adverse economic and environmental impacts of trawling.
The incapacity of Indian fishermen to engage in multi-day fishing operations hinders their ability to shift their focus from the Palk Bay area to more distant offshore regions beyond the continental shelf. Additionally, a gradual decline in the fish population in Indian waters compels Indian fishermen to venture into Sri Lankan waters due to insufficient catches in their own region
What is the issue of Kachchatheevu?
The issue of Kachchatheevu pertains to a territorial dispute between India and Sri Lanka over the ownership and control of the island of Kachchatheevu, which is located in the Palk Strait.
Here are key points about the Kachchatheevu dispute:
- Kachchatheevu is a small island with historical and cultural significance for both India and Sri Lanka. The dispute over its ownership has roots in historical claims and agreements between colonial powers
- The main contention revolves around the maritime boundary in the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. The island is situated close to the southeastern coast of India and the northern coast of Sri Lanka
- In 1974, India and Sri Lanka signed an agreement known as the "Agreement on the Maritime Boundary in the Gulf of Mannar" to settle the maritime boundary between the two countries. As part of this agreement, Kachchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka
- The transfer of Kachchatheevu to Sri Lanka also affected traditional fishing rights in the region. Indian fishermen, particularly from the state of Tamil Nadu, have historically used the waters around Kachchatheevu for fishing, and the agreement raised concerns about access to these traditional fishing grounds
- The dispute has had practical implications for fishermen from both countries. Indian fishermen have faced challenges and occasional arrests by the Sri Lankan authorities for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan waters around Kachchatheevu
- The issue of Kachchatheevu remains a point of contention between India and Sri Lanka. It has led to diplomatic discussions, and the question of the island's ownership occasionally resurfaces in the context of broader bilateral relations
- The 13th Amendment called for the establishment of Provincial Councils with devolved powers, but the full implementation has been hindered. Some argue that the provinces, especially the Northern Province, do not have sufficient autonomy, and the central government retains significant control
- The amendment included provisions for the devolution of land and police powers to the provinces. However, these powers have not been fully transferred, leading to concerns about the actual extent of devolution
- There has been resistance from certain political entities and provinces to fully embrace and implement the provisions of the 13th Amendment. This resistance has impeded the smooth functioning of the devolved system
- Advocates for Tamil and minority rights often call for greater devolution of powers to address historical grievances and promote reconciliation. They argue that more autonomy at the provincial level is essential for effective governance and representation
- The need for broader constitutional reforms to address ethnic and minority issues has been emphasized. Some propose a more comprehensive approach to constitutional change, going beyond the 13th Amendment, to create a political structure that ensures fair representation and safeguards the rights of all communities
- The implementation of the 13th Amendment has been under international scrutiny, with calls from the international community for Sri Lanka to fulfill its commitments related to minority rights and devolution of power
- Some argue that security concerns and the desire for national unity have influenced the reluctance to fully implement the 13th Amendment. There are concerns that devolving certain powers may compromise the country's territorial integrity
Sri Lanka has been the subject of international scrutiny and concern regarding human rights violations, particularly in the context of the civil war that lasted from 1983 to 2009, when the government forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The aftermath of the conflict and the post-war period has seen allegations of human rights abuses from various quarters. Here are key points regarding human rights violations in Sri Lanka and the role of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) resolution:
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End of Civil War (2009): The end of the civil war in 2009 was marked by significant humanitarian concerns. There were reports of civilian casualties, displacement, and allegations of war crimes committed by both the government forces and the LTTE.
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Human Rights Concerns: Subsequent to the conflict, concerns persisted regarding human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and restrictions on freedom of expression and association. The Tamil minority, in particular, has raised issues related to discrimination and marginalization.
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International Community's Involvement: The international community, including the United Nations, expressed concern over the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Calls were made for accountability, justice, and reconciliation.
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OHCHR Reports and Resolutions: The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) produced several reports highlighting human rights violations in Sri Lanka. The reports documented alleged war crimes and called for accountability. In response to these reports, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed resolutions addressing Sri Lanka's human rights situation.
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Resolutions at UNHRC: There have been multiple resolutions at the UNHRC, starting with Resolution 30/1 in 2015, which was co-sponsored by the Sri Lankan government. Subsequent resolutions, including Resolution 46/1 in 2021, continued to address human rights concerns and the implementation of commitments made by Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lankan Government's Response: The Sri Lankan government's response to these resolutions varied over the years. While there were periods of cooperation and commitment to address human rights issues, there were also instances of resistance and calls to withdraw from the resolutions.
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Ongoing Challenges and Calls for Justice: Challenges persist in achieving justice, accountability, and reconciliation. The process of addressing human rights violations remains complex, and there are differing opinions within Sri Lanka on how to move forward
