Round The World

New Delhi, 15 June 2010

India-Lanka Ties

BUILDING NATIONAL RECONCILIATION

By Monish Tourangbam

Research Scholar, School of International Studies (JNU)

No doubt, India would be the pivot around which the growth of South Asia will take place. But at the same time, it would not be strategically beneficial for India to be an island of growth, in a sea of instability. Hence, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh dwelt on the idea of an all-round inclusive development of South Asia. The Sri Lankan side welcomed this magnanimous Indian policy. When the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited India for the first time after his electoral victory early this year, the focus was on taking forward the cooperation in economy and other crucial areas of development, besides the prominent issue of reconstruction and regeneration.

It has been around a year since the LTTE were defeated and thus, the visit came at a crucial time when the world starts expecting some serious steps from the Sri Lankan government. Though President Rajapkasa came back to power in a very controversial presidential election, the Manmohan Singh administration has taken the right diplomatic step in recognizing his administration as the legitimate decision-maker.

Validating his presidency puts Rajapaksa in the centre of the reconciliation process. Now the onus is on him to deliver on the promises he had made. New Delhi has repeatedly made known its desire to maintain its material and diplomatic assistance to the reconstruction of the nation and the development of a unified Sri Lanka. Besides, building on the economic and other developmental linkages between the two countries, New Delhi had underscored the importance to resolve the grievances of the ethnic Tamil minority and usher in a new Sri Lanka that would not sow the seeds of a new Prabhakaran.

Remember, the international community had raised serious questions on how the Rajapaksa administration handled the offensive against the LTTE. Now, it has set its eyes on how the President goes about the resettlement of the displaced Tamils and delivers on his electoral mandate of bringing about a unified Sri Lanka.

In an India-Sri Lanka joint declaration that came out of the recent visit, “the Prime Minister  emphasized that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment (to the Sri Lankan constitution), would create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement. The President of Sri Lanka reiterated his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that would act as a catalyst to create the necessary conditions in which all the people of Sri Lanka could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace, justice and dignity, consistent with democracy, pluralism, equal opportunity and respect for human rights.”

The Sri Lankans are at a critical juncture. After being ravaged by civil wars for years, cutting short any chances of reintegration and regeneration of the society as a whole, they have a second chance and should be a step ahead of the situation. After the end of the storm, they have a unique opportunity to rebuild the society and assuage the grievances and misunderstanding.

As expressed by Singh, the cessation of hostilities and the electoral mandate given to Rajapaksa presents a unique opportunity for Sri Lanka to address all outstanding issues and work towards a genuine national reconciliation. And this time, Sri Lanka would forego this historic prospect only at the peril of the common people who have endured years of violent civil war and its fallout.

Both the sides give major importance to the issue of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), a consequence of the all-out war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan forces. The early and successful resolution of this crucial issue will to a large extent, give some credit to the Rajapaksa administration and silence some of the protestors on the Indian side who are against active cooperation between the Indian and the present Sri Lankan administration.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi criticized the visiting Rajapaksa, for not fulfilling the assurances he had given to both the Central and Tamil Nadu governments on resettlement and rehabilitation of war-affected Tamils in Sri Lanka. Moreover, black-flag demonstrations were reported in Chennai protesting the visit of the President. Thus, an effective and honest resolution of this issue assumes importance for healthy India-Sri Lanka ties.

Manmohan Singh was apprised on the measures taken by Colombo to bring about a rapid and sustainable resettlement of the bulk of the IDPs, stating that the process of resettling the limited number still remaining in the transit facilities would be further expedited. Rajapaksa expressed appreciation for India's substantial and generous assistance including through a grant of Rs 500 crore for the humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs. Both leaders announced a major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for these persons  in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.

Besides deliberating on issues of reconstruction and regeneration, the visit focused on reaping the opportunity to take the ties forward in many areas of cooperation, including the field of economy, energy, security and defence, agriculture, education, culture, fishing arrangement etc. Major initiatives were taken, such as agreeing to institute an annual defence dialogue, to promote the use of space technology for societal services.

Moreover, the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners and it was also agreed that India would extend assistance for the rehabilitation of Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour as also help in renovating the Duraiappah Stadium and constructing a Cultural Centre in Jaffna. Rajapaksa has expressed appreciation for the generous and concessionary credit facilities amounting to about US$ 800 million offered by India for the railway projects in Sri Lanka.

Further, steps were taken for the rehabilitation of war widows and the involvement of Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) was welcomed. Initiatives were announced to involve the public and private sectors for economic vitality and establishing of the Consulates General of India in Jaffna and in Hambantota was agreed upon. Last but not least, completing the diplomatic platter, Colombo reiterated its support for India’s claim for a permanent seat at a future reformed UN Security Council and India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-12.

It is worthwhile to note that close on the heels of Rajapaksa's visit to India; Sri Lanka signed six agreements with China for enhanced cooperation in economic and other fields. It is inevitable that New Delhi’s commitment towards the island nation is compared to that of China. But, India has major stakes in how Sri Lanka develops post the LTTE, warranting a very different yet a competitive form of activity. The strength of Indian diplomacy should be embedded in our shared common cultural heritage and the dividends that an effective India-Sri Lanka tie would have for South Asia. Indian policy towards the Sri Lankan situation should serve as a reminder of New Delhi’s non-aggressive nature of policy-making towards smaller countries in the South Asian region and beyond.---INFA

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