Indo-Lanka relations: Translating good intentions to mutually-beneficial outcomes

The top three priorities in going forward need to be the three Is: implementation, implementation and implementation. In this regard, there is a role for the two governments, businesses communities and civil society in the two countries in this respect. Time is of the essence, as the advantages accruing to Sri Lanka from any new Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation agreement are being eroded day-by-day by the preferential trade and investment agreements India is signing with host of other countries, including ASEAN and the EU

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) welcomes the progress made at the eighth meeting of India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission (22 January 2013) in advancing bilateral relations.

The PF notes that a number of the conclusions found in the Communiqué of the Joint Commission are closely aligned with the recommendations contained in Indo-Lanka Joint Study Group report sponsored by the Pathfinder Foundation and Manipal Global Education (MaGE) of India, a civil society (Track 2) initiative involving a group of experts from the two countries, in early January.

The communiqué gives credence to the basic premise in the Study Group Report that the relationship between Sri Lanka and India is a multifaceted

The relationship between Sri Lanka and India is a multifaceted one, which has scope for significant expansion and rapid improvement in the coming years

one, which has scope for significant expansion and rapid improvement in the coming years.

In this connection, PF is encouraged not only by the signing of agreements on combating terrorism and drug-trafficking as well as double taxation avoidance, but also by the decision to begin discussions on developing a framework for a special economic relationship between the two countries.

The agreement to initiate a dialogue between the Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Sri Lanka and the Commerce Secretary, India is to be lauded. The Joint Commission has recognised the importance of further deepening of trade, tourism and investment relations, while acknowledging the advances already made in these areas.

The Study Group Report also recognised that India had a major role to play in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the conflict-affected areas. In this connection, the Joint Commission has noted with satisfaction that progress has been made in the implementation of several projects involving the delivery of basic services, restoration of livelihoods, rehabilitation of people and development of infrastructure.

 The benefits of enhancing connectivity and people-to-people exchanges have also received attention.

The Joint Commission has also endorsed collaboration in the area of energy security, including power generation and renewable sources of energy. India’s role in developing education, training and skills development, including English language training, in Sri Lanka, has been included along with a number of initiatives to strengthen cooperation in the field of cultural relations.

 The Pathfinder Foundation is pleased that these areas, which have featured in the recommendations of the Study Group Report, have been included in the Joint Commission Communiqué.

The Study Group Report has an important Annexure on the Sustainable Management of Fisheries and Other Marine Resources in the Palk Bay, including the establishment of a Joint Mechanism for this purpose. It provides a framework for addressing this sensitive issue in a balanced and humane way.

The fisheries issue, being a major recurring irritant in Indo Sri Lanka relations, PF is hopeful that the several recommendations contained in this section of the report would receive urgent attention of the two governments and be addressed expeditiously through a process of consultation and cooperation.

While PF welcomes the commonalities to be found in the Joint Commission Communiqué and the Study Group recommendations, the ultimate objective has to be to translate these good intentions to practical outcomes that establish a stable and robust framework for mutually beneficial bilateral relations, which result in the upliftment of the lives of the peoples of the two countries.

In this connection, one must recall that good intentions and positive sentiments have characterised previous joint communiqués as well. However, it is common knowledge that translation of words in to deeds has invariably been well below expectations.

Consequently, the top three priorities in going forward need to be the three Is: implementation, implementation and implementation. In this regard, there is a role for the two governments, businesses communities and civil society in the two countries in this respect.

Time is of the essence, as the advantages accruing to Sri Lanka from any new Indo-Sri Lanka economic cooperation agreement are being eroded day-by-day by the preferential trade and investment agreements India is signing with host of other countries, including ASEAN and the EU.

Sri Lanka better bear in mind consideration is being given by India for commencing negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the US as well, and the implications of such an agreement on its economy.