Page 43 - LECTURETTE TOPICS eBOOK

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Introduction
The bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka were soured due to the
assassination of Prime Minister of India, Late Shri. Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 by LTTE
activists. To improve the bilateral relations, Indo- Sri Lankan accord was signed in
1987. India launched a peacekeeping force, IPKF, called as operation Pawan, as a
force to make peace between the Sinhalese and Tamils, and to pacify the civil war.
This mission was proved futile and led to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by Tamil
separatists.
In 2009, the violence due to civil war in Sri Lanka was ended after capturing the last
area dominated by Tamils for 25 years. The Indian government offered extensive
services and rehabilitation in the war-prone areas. But the Tamil empathetic
governments in Tamil Nadu succeeded to stop the centre from executing their plans
by their protests. By that time, the Tamil politicians played a pivotal role in the Indian
central government.
In 2009 and 2012, India voted against some resolutions in the United Nations
Organization Human Rights Commission or UNHRC to probe into the allegations
against Sri Lankan government about violation of human rights in areas hailed by
Tamil militants. In 2014, the government of India again voted in favour of resolution
while China and Pakistan opposed the resolution of probing into the issues of war
crimes in Sri Lanka by UNHRC. These are the issues of contentment between India
and Sri Lanka.

Scenario
• On the other hand, there are strong social and cultural ties between India and
Sri Lanka since the ancient times. There are a majority or Tamils of Indian
origin and a minute number of other Indian communities in Sri Lanka like
Parsis, Memons, Telugus, Gujaratis and Malayalis who settled there for a
living. Though they count for less than 10,000 in number, they mingled with
Sri Lankan people with a strong emotional bond. The trade relations are pretty
good between the two countries.
• With the issues like the vote in the United Nations made Sri Lanka move a
little closer to China. China constructed two ports as a part of Maritime silk

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