Foreign Policy significance of Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka – By Arundathie Abeysinghe
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s first bilateral overseas visit to Sri Lanka on June 20, 2024 (in his second consecutive term in office since the formation of India’s new government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has set the stage for a significant chapter in India-Sri Lanka relations. This was apparent during his standalone visit to the island nation after assuming duty, a robust outreach to Indian Ocean neighbors.
During his visit, he engaged in high-level meetings with President Ranil Wickremasinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, opposition MPs and set a positive trajectory for future engagements between the two countries while emphasizing continuity and proactive diplomacy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He discussed on wide-ranging issues from the power sector to maritime security and commissioned the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), (constructed with a USD 6 million grant from India), comprising a main center at the Colombo Naval Headquarters, a sub-center in Hambantota and unmanned installations in strategic locations across Sri Lanka’s coastline such as Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Arugambay, Galle, Kallarawa, Point Pedro and Mollikulam.
Jaishankar’s day-long visit to Sri Lanka underscores the importance of Sri Lanka in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and SAGAR Vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region). India aims to create a harmonious and prosperous South Asian region, emphasizing India’s commitment to regional stability, economic integration and mutual development that underscores India’s broader strategy to reinforce regional solidarity and collaborative growth.
Smaller nations could enhance their security and international profile by providing public good (that the MRCC aims to provide) and integrating themselves into global supply chains, thus, interlocking their security and survival with the security of the rest, including the great powers.
MRCC aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime capabilities, especially, in coordinating search and rescue operations ensuring swift responses to maritime emergencies and enhancing the safety of vessels transiting through Sri Lankan waters within its extensive Search and Rescue Region (SRR) in the Indian Ocean. This initiative also aligns with India’s SAGAR initiative, promoting collective security and economic growth among Indian Ocean Rim countries, emphasizing regional cooperation in maritime safety and security, considered crucial for safeguarding the important sea lanes in the Indian Ocean.
Meanwhile, in August 2022, India provided substantial assistance to enhance Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities, including the provision of a naval floating dock and two Dornier aircraft with the objective of bolstering Sri Lanka’s naval and aerial surveillance capacities. These collaborations strengthen interoperability between the two nations’ defence forces while contributing to regional stability and security in the Indian Ocean region.
Meanwhile, the feasibility study for establishing land connectivity with India is almost complete and the final stage will soon conclude. The proposed route would connect Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, India to Talaimannar (located on the northwestern coast of Mannar Island, the largest islet in the country) in Sri Lanka. This route leverages the existing *Adam’s Bridge (or Ram Setu), a chain of natural limestone shoals, which provides a relatively shallow and stable foundation.
One of the key advantages of land connectivity is prospective economic gains, as currently, trade between Sri Lanka and India relies heavily on sea and air routes, which is time-consuming and expensive. As a direct land connection would streamline logistics, increase the efficiency of movement of goods and reduce transportation costs, Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to attract significant investments and stimulate diverse sectors, including services, manufacturing, and agriculture, while opening new markets for businesses in both countries, fostering economic growth and creating employment opportunities for Sri Lankans and Indians.
Adam’s Bridge – indicating a primordial bond By Arundathie Abeysinghe – August 17, 2022
https://www.elanka.com.au/adams-bridge-indicating-a-primordial-bond-by-arundathie-abeysinghe/
