16 December 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Friends and neighbours

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 09)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) has chosen India as his first international destination, continuing a tradition followed by his predecessors. This visitvunderscores India’s “neighborhood-first” policy and highlights the significance of bilateral ties. As the region grapples with economic uncertainties and geopolitical shifts, AKD has tempered public expectations, emphasizing the need for time and collaboration to address challenges effectively.

Historical and Political Context of Bilateral Relations

• The foundation for this visit was laid shortly after AKD’s electoral victory, with India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, visiting Colombo.
• Jaishankar, a seasoned diplomat with deep insights into Sri Lanka’s complex political landscape, conveyed PM Modi’s personal invitation to AKD.
• This diplomatic gesture not only reaffirmed India’s commitment to Sri Lanka but also demonstrated India’s readiness to assist its neighbor, particularly through measures like converting payments for Line of Credit projects into grants.
• Such steps reflect India’s acknowledgment of Sri Lanka’s economic struggles, particularly following its 2022 sovereign debt default of $50 billion.

Economic Integration and Strategic Cooperation

• AKD’s visit offers a platform for both nations to deepen economic and strategic ties. India aims to foster Sri Lanka’s financial stability while promoting regional economic integration, particularly with South India.
• Collaborative projects such as the Kankesanthurai Port and Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm are expected to gain renewed focus. Additionally, issues like Tamil Nadu fishermen trespassing into Sri Lankan waters require mutual understanding and pragmatic solutions.
• Sri Lanka, in turn, is likely to assure India that its territory will not be used against Indian security interests, reinforcing trust.

Ethnic Sensitivities and Maritime Security

• India’s stance on Sri Lanka’s ethnic issues remains supportive of the aspirations of all communities, including Tamils, while respecting Sri Lanka’s unity and sovereignty.
• Maritime security in the Indian Ocean, a shared priority, positions Sri Lanka as a pivotal player in India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) framework.
• As India’s southern flank, Sri Lanka holds strategic importance in maintaining regional maritime security and economic connectivity.

Sri Lanka’s Democratic Resilience

• Sri Lanka’s recent political trajectory demonstrates its resilience. The 2022 “Aragalaya” protests, which symbolized public outrage against economic mismanagement, marked a critical turning point.
• Despite predictions of chaos, the island nation emerged stronger, showcasing its commitment to democratic principles and pluralism.
• The comparison to Bangladesh, which has faced its own challenges, highlights Sri Lanka’s exceptional recovery and adaptability.

AKD and the JVP’s Transformation

• AKD’s election is remarkable not just for his personal victory but for the transformation of his party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
• Once associated with violent uprisings in 1971 and 1989, the Marxist-Leninist JVP has evolved into a democratic political force.
• Historically opposed to India and the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), the JVP’s shift symbolizes a new chapter in Sri Lanka’s political evolution.
• AKD’s leadership now offers an opportunity to redefine Indo-Sri Lankan relations, building on shared histories and mutual interests.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations

• President AKD’s maiden visit to India is more than a ceremonial gesture; it signals a renewed commitment to a collaborative future.
• With both nations facing shared challenges and opportunities, the visit is a chance to strengthen ties, enhance regional integration, and address long-standing issues.
• India’s support for Sri Lanka’s recovery and stability reflects not just diplomatic goodwill but also strategic foresight, ensuring that the region thrives collectively.

What is the Significance of India and Sri Lanka Relations?

Focus on Regional Development: India’s progress is intricately linked with its neighbouring nations, and Sri Lanka aims to enhance its own growth by integrating with the Southern economy, in South Asia. The external Affairs Minister also reaffirmed India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy, emphasising the importance of Sri Lanka as India’s closest maritime neighbour. Strategic Location: Sri Lanka, positioned near India’s southern coast across the Palk Strait, holds a crucial role in the relationship between the two nations as it is at the crossroads of major shipping lanes making it a critical point of control for India. Ease of Doing Business & Tourism: The enhancement of digital payment systems across the two nations will promote economic integration and simplify business transactions between India and Sri Lanka. This advancement will not only streamline trade but also improve connectivity for tourism exchanges between the two nations.

PYQ: India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka. Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka the light of the preceding statement. (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2022)

Practice Question: The maiden visit of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to India reflects the growing importance of regional cooperation in South Asia. Critically analyze the significance of this visit in the context of Indo-Sri Lankan relations. (250 words/15 m)

 2. What Manipur needs    

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 09)

Topic: GS3 – Internal Security

Context

The article highlights the mismanagement of Manipur’s escalating ethnic and security crisis, emphasizing the need for urgent political intervention and comprehensive conflict resolution measures.

Manipur’s Complex Crisis

• Manipur exemplifies a deeply mismanaged internal security problem, compounded by ethnic tensions, tribal insurgency, drug trafficking, and cross-border infiltration from Myanmar.
• Despite India’s success in addressing other internal conflicts like Punjab’s insurgency and Maoist rebellions, the Manipur crisis has worsened due to inadequate political initiatives and an over-reliance on law-and-order mechanisms.

Ethnic Violence and Its Aftermath

• The ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo tribals, which erupted in May 2023, has led to significant casualties and displacement.
• The death toll stands at 258, with over 60,000 displaced and widespread destruction of religious structures.
• Recent violent incidents, including the killing of Hmar militants and subsequent protests, have further escalated tensions, revealing a governance vacuum and loss of public trust.

Inadequate Government Response

• The government’s reliance on deploying Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and imposing the AFSPA highlights its focus on suppressing violence rather than addressing underlying grievances.
• While security forces are saturated, there has been a lack of meaningful confidence-building measures, dialogue, and reconciliation efforts.
• This failure to adopt a holistic approach has allowed the crisis to spiral further.

Lessons from Tribal Unrest Management

• The government has overlooked key principles of managing tribal unrest. Violence containment must be accompanied by grievance redressal, reconciliation, and trust-building initiatives.
• Peace committees and the “Winning Hearts and Minds” (WHAM) approach should have been prioritized.
• Previous periods of relative calm were squandered, as efforts like initial dialogues by the Home Minister lacked follow-up.

Proposed Remedial Measures

Leadership and Governance:

• The Prime Minister should visit Manipur to inspire confidence among the populace.
• President’s Rule must be imposed, and a capable governor with counter-insurgency experience appointed.
• Revamp the administration to include dynamic, decisive officers.

Targeting Key Threats:

• Act decisively against violence instigators, religious extremists, and drug traffickers.
• Launch a robust disarmament drive for illegal weapons, enforcing strict penalties for non-compliance.

Peace-Building Initiatives:

• Establish peace committees at district and state levels with representation from all communities.
• Foster dialogue between rival groups to create a sustainable resolution framework.

Conclusion: Restoring Peace and Stability

• Manipur’s deteriorating situation requires urgent political intervention and a multifaceted strategy.
• While much time has been lost, the government can still salvage the situation through decisive actions, inclusive dialogue, and strategic reforms.
• As Chanakya advises, focusing on the present moment is key to achieving long-term peace and stability in Manipur.

Practice Question: The prolonged crisis in Manipur reflects the pitfalls of treating complex ethnic and security challenges as mere law-and-order problems. Critically analyze the factors contributing to the unrest and suggest a comprehensive strategy to restore peace and stability in the state.. (250 words/15 m)