Sri Lanka (India & Neighbourhood).
Syllabus: UPSC Mains GS2: India & neighbourhood, groupings, international institutions, diaspora
India-Sri Lanka relations for UPSC: shared history, 13th Amendment, IPKF, Katchatheevu and fishermen, China and Hambantota, 2022 crisis aid, 2025 defence pact.
The 13th edition of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral maritime exercise, SLINEX-26, was held at Visakhapatnam from 17 to 21 September 2026. INS Kavaratti, an indigenous anti-submarine warfare corvette, and the fleet tanker INS Jyoti took part for India, and SLNS Sindurala for Sri Lanka. SLINEX was conceptualised in 2005.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SLINEX = Sri Lanka.
20 Sep 2026
Outcomes of the Vice President's visit to Sri Lanka (19–20 April 2026) include extending OCI eligibility to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora and simplifying OCI for Indian Origin Tamils. India completed Housing Project Phase III (4,000 houses for plantation families). Sri Lanka agreed to join the International Big Cat Alliance.
UPSC angle: Prelims: OCI eligibility, IBCA membership. · Mains: India-Sri Lanka ties and Indian Origin Tamils.
19 Apr 2026
Fishermen and pollution incidents make coast guard ties central to India-Sri Lanka relations.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SLCG.
11 Aug 2025
Energy links bind neighbours.
UPSC angle: Prelims: none.
5 Apr 2025