India-Sri Lanka Relations: History, Tamil Question, Fishermen, China Factor, the 2022 Crisis and Recent Agreements (UPSC Notes + PYQs)
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
Foundations
Ashoka’s son Mahinda took Buddhism to the island; Tamil and Sinhala histories intertwine. An FTA has been in force since 2000, and India is among Sri Lanka’s top trade partners and investors. About 1.6 million Indian-origin Tamils (“Hill Country Tamils”) work mainly on tea estates.
The Tamil question
- Civil war from 1983 between the State and the LTTE.
- India-Sri Lanka Accord (1987) led to the 13th Amendment creating provincial councils, and the Indian Peace Keeping Force (1987-90), which lost over 1,100 soldiers.
- The war ended in May 2009. India still urges full implementation of the 13th Amendment and provincial elections.
Irritants
Fishermen: Indian trawlers enter Sri Lankan waters around Katchatheevu, an island India recognised as Sri Lankan in 1974; arrests and boat seizures continue. China: Hambantota port leased to a Chinese firm for 99 years in 2017 after debt troubles; Chinese research ships’ visits worried India until Sri Lanka adopted rules limiting them.
2022 crisis and after
Sri Lanka defaulted in 2022. India moved first with about $4 billion in credit lines, currency swaps and fuel and food aid, and supported its IMF programme. In April 2025, during the Prime Minister’s visit, the two signed MoUs on defence cooperation, energy (a Trincomalee energy hub with the UAE, solar power in Sampur), and digital public infrastructure. Grid interconnection and a land bridge are long-term ideas.
India Sri Lanka Relations: UPSC angle
For UPSC CSE
Prelims: Katchatheevu, Palk Strait, Hambantota, 13th Amendment. Mains GS-II: India’s neighbourhood policy, China factor, fishermen issue.
India Sri Lanka Relations UPSC PYQs (Prelims)
Questions UPSC has actually asked, from the official papers. Pick an option to check yourself.
Consider the following statements :
– 1. The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
– 2. "Textile and textile articles" constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
– 3. In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
India-Sri Lanka trade rose and fell with Sri Lanka’s troubles; it did not rise “consistently”. Cotton, yarn and textiles are a major part of India’s exports to Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment exporter. Bangladesh, not Nepal, is India’s largest trading partner in South Asia. Answer as per the official UPSC key · Battle IAS PYQ bankAnswer (b) & why
Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar ?
Indira Point, the southern tip of Great Nicobar, is only about 150 km from Sumatra’s northern tip (Aceh) across the Great Channel. Sri Lanka is over 1,300 km away. That closeness to the Malacca Strait is why the Great Nicobar transshipment project matters strategically. Answer as per the official UPSC key · Battle IAS PYQ bankAnswer (a) & why
Mains PYQs on this topic
No UPSC Mains question from 2023-2026 is directly on this topic. Older papers (2013-2022) will be added as the Mains bank grows.
Quick quiz
Katchatheevu was recognised as part of Sri Lanka in
Bilateral agreement.Answer (b)
The 13th Amendment of Sri Lanka relates to
After the 1987 accord.Answer (b)
Hambantota port was leased in 2017 to a company from
For 99 years.Answer (b)
FAQs
What was the IPKF?
The Indian Peace Keeping Force sent to Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990 under the India-Sri Lanka Accord.
What is the fishermen issue?
Indian fishermen crossing the maritime boundary in the Palk Bay face arrest; bottom trawling also harms marine life.
How did India help in the 2022 crisis?
With around $4 billion in credit lines, swaps and essential supplies.
What did the 2025 visit produce?
MoUs including defence cooperation, an energy hub at Trincomalee and digital cooperation.
Spotted an error? Tell us. We correct within 48 hours.
Image: Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
How to use this in Mains
If asked: Discuss the key irritants and opportunities in India-Sri Lanka relations. (GS-II)
Quote: “Sri Lanka defaulted in 2022. India moved first with about $4 billion in credit lines, currency swaps and fuel and food aid, and supported its IMF programme.”
Use it: Use as the best recent example of India's 'neighbourhood first'.
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