Q. India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement.
Question from UPSC Mains 2022 GS2 Paper
Model Answer:
Deeply rooted in shared history, culture, and Buddhism, India-Sri Lanka relations found their most profound modern expression during Sri Lanka’s unprecedented 2022 economic crisis.
Foundation of the “Age-Old Friendship”
- Civilizational Ties: Millennia of shared cultural and religious heritage (tracing back to Emperor Ashoka and Buddhism).
- Strategic Convergence: Sri Lanka remains central to India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
India’s Role in the 2022 Sri Lankan Crisis
- Unprecedented Financial Aid: Provided over $4 billion in economic assistance, serving as the primary anchor against complete economic collapse.
- Forex Liquidity Relief: The RBI extended a $400 million currency swap and deferred billion-dollar Asian Clearing Union (ACU) payments.
- Humanitarian Lifelines: Extended critical credit lines ensuring the continuous supply of daily essentials (fuel, life-saving medicines, 40,000 MT of rice, and fertilizers).
- Diplomatic Championing: India became the first major bilateral creditor to issue written financing assurances to the IMF, expediting Sri Lanka’s bailout package.
- Respecting Sovereignty: Extended support to the Sri Lankan people and democratic institutions without interfering in their internal political transition.
India’s swift, unconditional, and multifaceted intervention cemented its role as a reliable “First Responder,” effectively transforming historical civilizational goodwill into a resilient, modern strategic partnership.
