📝Water Resources in India & Nepal
🔶Cooperation in Water Resources primarily concerning the common rivers is one of the most important areas of our bilateral relations and has immense potential.
🔶It is estimated that around 250 small and large rivers flow from Nepal to India and constitute an important part of the Ganges river basins.
🔶These rivers have the potential to become major sources of irrigation and power for Nepal and India, are a source of devastating floods in Nepal’s Terai region, and the Indian States of Bihar and UP.
🔶A three–tier bilateral mechanism established in 2008, to discuss issues relating to cooperation in water resources and hydropower between the two countries.
🔶 In November 2014 Nepal and India sign a deal to build a $1bn hydropower plant on Nepal's Arun river to counter crippling energy shortages.
🔶 The Commencement of Work on the Pancheshwar Multipurpose project on Mahakali river in 2017 is expected to provide impetus to water resource cooperation between India and Nepal.
🔶Cooperation in Water Resources primarily concerning the common rivers is one of the most important areas of our bilateral relations and has immense potential.
🔶It is estimated that around 250 small and large rivers flow from Nepal to India and constitute an important part of the Ganges river basins.
🔶These rivers have the potential to become major sources of irrigation and power for Nepal and India, are a source of devastating floods in Nepal’s Terai region, and the Indian States of Bihar and UP.
🔶A three–tier bilateral mechanism established in 2008, to discuss issues relating to cooperation in water resources and hydropower between the two countries.
🔶 In November 2014 Nepal and India sign a deal to build a $1bn hydropower plant on Nepal's Arun river to counter crippling energy shortages.
🔶 The Commencement of Work on the Pancheshwar Multipurpose project on Mahakali river in 2017 is expected to provide impetus to water resource cooperation between India and Nepal.
📝Power Status b/w India & Nepal
🔶 India and Nepal have a Power Exchange Agreement since 1971 for meeting the power requirements in the border areas of the two countries, taking advantage of each other's transmission infrastructure.
🔶 There are more than twenty 132 KV, 33 KV and 11 KV transmission interconnections which are used both for power exchange in the bordering areas and for power trade. For enhanced transmission of electricity, short term augmentation of the existing grid has been completed.
🔶Under mid–term augmentation, with grant assistance from GoI, 132 KV Kataiya–Kushaha and 132 KV Raxaul–Parwanipur transmission lines are being operationalized.
🔶 For long–term augmentation of the cross–border grid infrastructure, with a funding of US$ 13.2 million (from GoI’s US$ 100 Million LoC), the construction of a 400 KV Muzzafarpur–Dhalkebar transmission line is in progress.
🔶 India and Nepal have a Power Exchange Agreement since 1971 for meeting the power requirements in the border areas of the two countries, taking advantage of each other's transmission infrastructure.
🔶 There are more than twenty 132 KV, 33 KV and 11 KV transmission interconnections which are used both for power exchange in the bordering areas and for power trade. For enhanced transmission of electricity, short term augmentation of the existing grid has been completed.
🔶Under mid–term augmentation, with grant assistance from GoI, 132 KV Kataiya–Kushaha and 132 KV Raxaul–Parwanipur transmission lines are being operationalized.
🔶 For long–term augmentation of the cross–border grid infrastructure, with a funding of US$ 13.2 million (from GoI’s US$ 100 Million LoC), the construction of a 400 KV Muzzafarpur–Dhalkebar transmission line is in progress.
📝Trade Relations b/w India & Nepal
🔶 Since 1996, Nepal’s exports to India have grown more than eleven times and bilateral trade more than seven times; the bilateral trade that was 29.8% of total external trade of Nepal in year 1995-96 has reached 61.2% in 2015-16.
🔶 Indian firms are the biggest investors in Nepal, accounting for about 40% of the total approved foreign direct investments. There are about 150 Indian ventures operating in Nepal.
🔶They are engaged in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port, education and telecom), power sector and tourism industries.
🔶 Some large Indian investors include ITC, Dabur India, Hindustan Unilever, VSNL, TCIL, MTNL, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Asian Paints, CONCOR, GMR India etc.
🔶 The Union Budget 2018 increased the funding allocation of Nepal from 375 crores to 650 crores .
🔶In February 2016 India agreed on giving dedicated access to Nepal to the port of Vizag.
🔶 Since 1996, Nepal’s exports to India have grown more than eleven times and bilateral trade more than seven times; the bilateral trade that was 29.8% of total external trade of Nepal in year 1995-96 has reached 61.2% in 2015-16.
🔶 Indian firms are the biggest investors in Nepal, accounting for about 40% of the total approved foreign direct investments. There are about 150 Indian ventures operating in Nepal.
🔶They are engaged in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port, education and telecom), power sector and tourism industries.
🔶 Some large Indian investors include ITC, Dabur India, Hindustan Unilever, VSNL, TCIL, MTNL, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Asian Paints, CONCOR, GMR India etc.
🔶 The Union Budget 2018 increased the funding allocation of Nepal from 375 crores to 650 crores .
🔶In February 2016 India agreed on giving dedicated access to Nepal to the port of Vizag.
📝Development in Connectivity b/w India and Nepal
🔶The Augmentation of Jayanagar-Janakpur Railway line is in Progress between the two countries. Originally built during the British rule this line was functional till 2014, when it was closed for up gradation.
🔶 In 2017 India has also proposed a direct rail link to Kathmandu from Delhi & Kolkata.
🔶 Currently India and Nepal are connected by a directed bus service launched in 2014.
🔶 Both the countries are signatories to the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement as part of sub regional-connectivity efforts.
🔶The Augmentation of Jayanagar-Janakpur Railway line is in Progress between the two countries. Originally built during the British rule this line was functional till 2014, when it was closed for up gradation.
🔶 In 2017 India has also proposed a direct rail link to Kathmandu from Delhi & Kolkata.
🔶 Currently India and Nepal are connected by a directed bus service launched in 2014.
🔶 Both the countries are signatories to the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement as part of sub regional-connectivity efforts.
📝Border Dispute b/w India & Nepal
🔶 Delineation of boundary between India and Nepal is subject to the resolution over the territorial dispute on Susta and Kalapani areas.
🔶 The Kalapani row is over a 35 square km disputed area where the border is marked by the river Mahakali.
🔶 Gandak forms the international boundary between Nepal and India.
🔶 A British era agreement, known as the Treaty of Sugauli (1816), led to the demarcation of the international boundary between India and Nepal.
🔶In 1981, a Joint Technical Level Nepal-India Boundary Committee was set up, which after years of surveying and deliberations delineated 98% of the India-Nepal border on 182 strip maps. But, Susta was not part of this delineation.
🔶 In 2007, these strip maps were presented to both countries for ratification.
🔶 Nepal refused to sign the documents without resolving the Susta and Kalapani disputes India, too, did not endorse the maps.
🔶 Delineation of boundary between India and Nepal is subject to the resolution over the territorial dispute on Susta and Kalapani areas.
🔶 The Kalapani row is over a 35 square km disputed area where the border is marked by the river Mahakali.
🔶 Gandak forms the international boundary between Nepal and India.
🔶 A British era agreement, known as the Treaty of Sugauli (1816), led to the demarcation of the international boundary between India and Nepal.
🔶In 1981, a Joint Technical Level Nepal-India Boundary Committee was set up, which after years of surveying and deliberations delineated 98% of the India-Nepal border on 182 strip maps. But, Susta was not part of this delineation.
🔶 In 2007, these strip maps were presented to both countries for ratification.
🔶 Nepal refused to sign the documents without resolving the Susta and Kalapani disputes India, too, did not endorse the maps.
📝Challenges In Relations of India & Nepal
🔶Political transition in Nepal: Constitutional process and ethnic linkages invoving Madhesis, Tharus and janajatis pose a key challenge to the future of the bilateral relations.
🔶 Cooperation in developing water resources: Nepal has 43,000 MWs hydropower potential that is known to be technically feasible and economically viable. However, major projects have not taken-off due to considerations outside the realm of economics.
🔶The China Factor: China has showed renewed interest in Nepal following the constitutional logjam, the earthquake in 2015 and the blockade on the Indo-Nepal borders in the same year.
🔶In 2012, Nepal approved a $1.8 billion contract to China for the West Seti Hydropower Project.
🔶In November 2017 in a decision which could have far reaching consequences in the region and for China, Nepal cancelled the Budhi Gandaki hydropower project which had been contracted to a Chinese company Chinese company.
🔶Political transition in Nepal: Constitutional process and ethnic linkages invoving Madhesis, Tharus and janajatis pose a key challenge to the future of the bilateral relations.
🔶 Cooperation in developing water resources: Nepal has 43,000 MWs hydropower potential that is known to be technically feasible and economically viable. However, major projects have not taken-off due to considerations outside the realm of economics.
🔶The China Factor: China has showed renewed interest in Nepal following the constitutional logjam, the earthquake in 2015 and the blockade on the Indo-Nepal borders in the same year.
🔶In 2012, Nepal approved a $1.8 billion contract to China for the West Seti Hydropower Project.
🔶In November 2017 in a decision which could have far reaching consequences in the region and for China, Nepal cancelled the Budhi Gandaki hydropower project which had been contracted to a Chinese company Chinese company.
📝The BBIN Framework
🔶In eastern sub-region comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN), the four South Asian nations signed the BBIN Agreement in Thimphu and it was seen as a significant symbol of sub-regional unity.
🔶 The BBIN initiative, for the time being, operates through inter-governmental Joint Working Groups (JWG) comprising senior officials of respective governments, under the aegis of their respective Foreign Affairs ministries but drawing in representatives of other concerned ministries/agencies of the government.
🔶Two such JWGs were set up, one on Trade, Connectivity and Transit, the other on Water Resources Management, and Power/hydropower trade and Grid Connectivity.
🔶In eastern sub-region comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN), the four South Asian nations signed the BBIN Agreement in Thimphu and it was seen as a significant symbol of sub-regional unity.
🔶 The BBIN initiative, for the time being, operates through inter-governmental Joint Working Groups (JWG) comprising senior officials of respective governments, under the aegis of their respective Foreign Affairs ministries but drawing in representatives of other concerned ministries/agencies of the government.
🔶Two such JWGs were set up, one on Trade, Connectivity and Transit, the other on Water Resources Management, and Power/hydropower trade and Grid Connectivity.
📝Vision of BBIN
🔶 BBIN vision for the sub-region rests on Four pillars Trade, connectivity and transit.
🔶 Investment in power generation and water management sectors.
🔶 Cooperation in energy area, in power trade and converting national grids into a sub- regional grid.
🔶 Contact between the peoples of the region
🔶 BBIN vision for the sub-region rests on Four pillars Trade, connectivity and transit.
🔶 Investment in power generation and water management sectors.
🔶 Cooperation in energy area, in power trade and converting national grids into a sub- regional grid.
🔶 Contact between the peoples of the region
📝Potential of BBIN
🔶Once implemented thoroughly, they have the potential to increase India’s-regional trade within South Asia by almost 60% and with the rest of the world by over 30%.
🔶 This would be a visible advantage for South Asia with transport corridors transformed into economic corridors.
🔶The BBIN Agreement signals that relations which were earlier characterized by trust-
deficit among countries are now decisively moving towards a national political consensus
for cooperation among the neighbours.
🔶Once implemented thoroughly, they have the potential to increase India’s-regional trade within South Asia by almost 60% and with the rest of the world by over 30%.
🔶 This would be a visible advantage for South Asia with transport corridors transformed into economic corridors.
🔶The BBIN Agreement signals that relations which were earlier characterized by trust-
deficit among countries are now decisively moving towards a national political consensus
for cooperation among the neighbours.
📝Recent Developments in B/w India and Nepal
🔶 India proposed a SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement during the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November 2014. Due to objections from Pakistan, an agreement could not be reached.
🔶India instead pursued similar motor vehicle agreement with the BBIN. The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed on 15 June 2015.
🔶 However, in 2017 Bhutan backed out from joining this agreement asking the other countries to continue with operationalisation.
🔶 India approved $1.08 Billion for construction and upgradation of 558 km long roads that join Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
🔶 The project will receive 50% funding from Asian Development Bank. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2018.
🔶 India proposed a SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement during the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November 2014. Due to objections from Pakistan, an agreement could not be reached.
🔶India instead pursued similar motor vehicle agreement with the BBIN. The Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed on 15 June 2015.
🔶 However, in 2017 Bhutan backed out from joining this agreement asking the other countries to continue with operationalisation.
🔶 India approved $1.08 Billion for construction and upgradation of 558 km long roads that join Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.
🔶 The project will receive 50% funding from Asian Development Bank. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2018.
📝India-Sri Lanka
🖍️The Background #Part1
🔶 As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.
🔶 Ethnic issues-Sri Lanka comprises of various ethnic groups- Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors or Muslims 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% .
🔶 Tamils were disenfranchised in 1949. The 1956 Sinhala Only Act further institutionalised
the discrimination.
🔶 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed in 1976 and it was involved in an armed conflict with Sri Lankan armed forces from 1983 to 2009. In 1987 India-Sri Lanka Agreement signed between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayewardene sought to end the civil war in the island nation.
🔶 This agreement envisaged the creation of provincial councils with autonomy enabled by the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution.
🖍️The Background #Part1
🔶 As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972.
🔶 Ethnic issues-Sri Lanka comprises of various ethnic groups- Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors or Muslims 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% .
🔶 Tamils were disenfranchised in 1949. The 1956 Sinhala Only Act further institutionalised
the discrimination.
🔶 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed in 1976 and it was involved in an armed conflict with Sri Lankan armed forces from 1983 to 2009. In 1987 India-Sri Lanka Agreement signed between Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and President J.R. Jayewardene sought to end the civil war in the island nation.
🔶 This agreement envisaged the creation of provincial councils with autonomy enabled by the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution.
📝India-Sri Lanka
🖍️The Background #Part2
🔶Also under the agreement, Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to Sri Lanka's
Northern and Eastern provinces, to “guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities” between the Tamil separatist groups and the government.
🔶 However, the situation turned into a military confrontation between the IPKF and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which refused to disarm and join the political mainstream.
🔶 The IPKF-LTTE conflict that began on October 10, 1987, and lasted till 1990 saw the death of over 1,200 Indian soldiers and 660 LTTE cadres.
🔶The assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 further changed India’s
attitude towards the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka
🔶Civil War in Sri Lanka ended through military operation in 2009.
🖍️The Background #Part2
🔶Also under the agreement, Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to Sri Lanka's
Northern and Eastern provinces, to “guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities” between the Tamil separatist groups and the government.
🔶 However, the situation turned into a military confrontation between the IPKF and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which refused to disarm and join the political mainstream.
🔶 The IPKF-LTTE conflict that began on October 10, 1987, and lasted till 1990 saw the death of over 1,200 Indian soldiers and 660 LTTE cadres.
🔶The assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 further changed India’s
attitude towards the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka
🔶Civil War in Sri Lanka ended through military operation in 2009.
📝Evolution of India Sri Lanka Relations
🔶The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old and both sides have built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction.
🔶India and Sri Lanka commemorated the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi) through joint activities. These included the exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka that took place in August - September 2012.
🔶A Maritime agreement was signed by India and Sri Lanka in 1974. Where in India handed
over the uninhabited Kacchateevu.
🔶Signed in 1999, the India-Sri Lanka FTA entered into force in 2000 .
🔶2009, 2012 and 2013 India votes in favour of resolutions asking for probe in Sri Lanka’s
war against the LTTE at the Human Rights Council.
🔶Change of governments in India in 2014 and Sri Lanka in 2015 provided an opportunity for fresh engagement.
🔶A Civil Nuclear Agreement was signed between the two countries in 2015.
🔶The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old and both sides have built upon a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction.
🔶India and Sri Lanka commemorated the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi) through joint activities. These included the exposition of Sacred Kapilavastu Relics in Sri Lanka that took place in August - September 2012.
🔶A Maritime agreement was signed by India and Sri Lanka in 1974. Where in India handed
over the uninhabited Kacchateevu.
🔶Signed in 1999, the India-Sri Lanka FTA entered into force in 2000 .
🔶2009, 2012 and 2013 India votes in favour of resolutions asking for probe in Sri Lanka’s
war against the LTTE at the Human Rights Council.
🔶Change of governments in India in 2014 and Sri Lanka in 2015 provided an opportunity for fresh engagement.
🔶A Civil Nuclear Agreement was signed between the two countries in 2015.
📝Ethnic Issue B/w India & SL
🔶The nearly three-decade long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came to an end in May 2009. During the course of the conflict, India supported the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces.
🔶India supported the 13th Amendment which involves autonomy to provinces and rights of the Tamil minorities .
🔶India is involved in the resettlement and rehabilitation efforts in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka with Tamil Population.
🔶The need for national reconciliation through a political settlement of the ethnic issue has been reiterated by India at the highest levels. India's consistent position is in favour of a negotiated political settlement, which is acceptable to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and which is consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights.
🔶The nearly three-decade long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came to an end in May 2009. During the course of the conflict, India supported the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces.
🔶India supported the 13th Amendment which involves autonomy to provinces and rights of the Tamil minorities .
🔶India is involved in the resettlement and rehabilitation efforts in the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka with Tamil Population.
🔶The need for national reconciliation through a political settlement of the ethnic issue has been reiterated by India at the highest levels. India's consistent position is in favour of a negotiated political settlement, which is acceptable to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka and which is consistent with democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights.
📝Economic Cooperation and Trade
🔶Sri Lanka is one of the largest trading partners of India in South Asia.
🔶India in turn is Sri Lanka's largest trade partner globally.
🔶Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the entry into force of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000.
🔶Bilateral trade in 2015 amounted to US $ 4.7 billion. Exports from India to Sri Lanka in 2015 were US$ 4.1 billion (up by 2.1%), while exports from Sri Lanka to India were US$ 645 million (up by 3.2%) (MEA December 2016).
🔶 According to Sri Lankan Customs, bilateral trade in 2016 amounted to US $ 4.38 billion.Exports from India to Sri Lanka in 2016 were US$ 3.83 billion, while exports from Sri Lanka
to India were US$ 551 million.
🔶India is among the top four investors in Sri Lanka with cumulative investments of over US$ 1 billion since 2003.
🔶Sri Lanka is one of the largest trading partners of India in South Asia.
🔶India in turn is Sri Lanka's largest trade partner globally.
🔶Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the entry into force of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement in March 2000.
🔶Bilateral trade in 2015 amounted to US $ 4.7 billion. Exports from India to Sri Lanka in 2015 were US$ 4.1 billion (up by 2.1%), while exports from Sri Lanka to India were US$ 645 million (up by 3.2%) (MEA December 2016).
🔶 According to Sri Lankan Customs, bilateral trade in 2016 amounted to US $ 4.38 billion.Exports from India to Sri Lanka in 2016 were US$ 3.83 billion, while exports from Sri Lanka
to India were US$ 551 million.
🔶India is among the top four investors in Sri Lanka with cumulative investments of over US$ 1 billion since 2003.
📝Development Cooperation between India and SL
🔶 The conclusion of the armed conflict saw the emergence of a major humanitarian challenge, with nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians housed in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
🔶The Government of India put in place a robust programme of assistance to help the IDPs return to normal life as quickly as possible.
🔶This included: construction of 50,000 housing units, rehabilitation of the Northern Railway lines, wreck-removal and rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, establishment of Vocational Training Centres, construction of a Cultural Centre at Jaffna, restoration of Thiruketheeswaram Temple, establishing an Agricultural Research Institute in the Northern Province.
🔶 The conclusion of the armed conflict saw the emergence of a major humanitarian challenge, with nearly 300,000 Tamil civilians housed in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
🔶The Government of India put in place a robust programme of assistance to help the IDPs return to normal life as quickly as possible.
🔶This included: construction of 50,000 housing units, rehabilitation of the Northern Railway lines, wreck-removal and rehabilitation of the KKS Harbour, establishment of Vocational Training Centres, construction of a Cultural Centre at Jaffna, restoration of Thiruketheeswaram Temple, establishing an Agricultural Research Institute in the Northern Province.
📝The China Factor In Relations of India and SL
🔶During the Mahinda Rajpaksha tenure(2005-2015) Tilt towards China was evident. This era saw projects such as the Hamabntota port and Colombo port City granted to the Chinese.
🔶The construction of the Hambantota port was completed and operations began in 2010. It was part of a slew of mega infrastructure projects launched by then Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose family hailed from the coastal city of Hambantota. All of them were funded by Chinese loans, which stoked apprehension in New Delhi about the Rajapaksa government’s red carpet for Beijing.
🔶 During the Current government: The Hambantota port has been handed over to China on 99 year lease as part of a debt for equity swap.
🔶 In May 2017, Sri Lanka had rejected Chinese request to dock a submarine on its
port.
🔶Sri Lanka is also a keen supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)of China.
🔶During the Mahinda Rajpaksha tenure(2005-2015) Tilt towards China was evident. This era saw projects such as the Hamabntota port and Colombo port City granted to the Chinese.
🔶The construction of the Hambantota port was completed and operations began in 2010. It was part of a slew of mega infrastructure projects launched by then Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose family hailed from the coastal city of Hambantota. All of them were funded by Chinese loans, which stoked apprehension in New Delhi about the Rajapaksa government’s red carpet for Beijing.
🔶 During the Current government: The Hambantota port has been handed over to China on 99 year lease as part of a debt for equity swap.
🔶 In May 2017, Sri Lanka had rejected Chinese request to dock a submarine on its
port.
🔶Sri Lanka is also a keen supporter of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)of China.
📝India Interest In Bilateral Relations with SL
🔶 The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota, 250 km south from Colombo, was built with with Chinese assistance of $190 million, more than 90 per cent ofthe total cost. Today, MRIA is running into losses and Sri Lanka is unable to pay back dues to China’s EXIM Bank. Ironically, Sri Lanka may now hand over the airport to India so that it can repay the Chinese loan.
🔶India is also interested in developing container facilities at the Colombo Port and developing the Trincomalee harbour.
🔶The RBI initiative- Sri Lanka’s location is strategic for India’s maritime security, and China’s RBI – Maritime Silk Route. India is strongly asserting against China which is trying to build strategic assets in the garb of infrastructure projects all around India. India has conveyed to Sri Lanka its conerns about security and Sri Lanka has assured of not allowing anything against India’s security interests.
🔶 The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) in Hambantota, 250 km south from Colombo, was built with with Chinese assistance of $190 million, more than 90 per cent ofthe total cost. Today, MRIA is running into losses and Sri Lanka is unable to pay back dues to China’s EXIM Bank. Ironically, Sri Lanka may now hand over the airport to India so that it can repay the Chinese loan.
🔶India is also interested in developing container facilities at the Colombo Port and developing the Trincomalee harbour.
🔶The RBI initiative- Sri Lanka’s location is strategic for India’s maritime security, and China’s RBI – Maritime Silk Route. India is strongly asserting against China which is trying to build strategic assets in the garb of infrastructure projects all around India. India has conveyed to Sri Lanka its conerns about security and Sri Lanka has assured of not allowing anything against India’s security interests.
📝India-Maldives Relations
🛡️Background
🔶An archipelago of 1,200 coral islands, spanning roughly 115 square miles, Maldives is Asia's smallest nation, both by area and population.
🔶 India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
🔶 Indian Coast Guard's Dornier was the first to land at the Ibrahim Nasir Airport with relief and supplies after the tsunami of December 26, 2004.
🔶 India maintains a naval presence in Maldives, at the request of the Maldives, since 2009.
🔶 December 5, 2014, India dispatched “water aid” to the Maldivian capital of Male, after a fire destroyed the generator of its biggest water treatment plant.
🔶The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008 only to be removed in 2012 and replaced by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in a 2013 election.
🛡️Background
🔶An archipelago of 1,200 coral islands, spanning roughly 115 square miles, Maldives is Asia's smallest nation, both by area and population.
🔶 India was among the first to recognise Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country.
🔶 Indian Coast Guard's Dornier was the first to land at the Ibrahim Nasir Airport with relief and supplies after the tsunami of December 26, 2004.
🔶 India maintains a naval presence in Maldives, at the request of the Maldives, since 2009.
🔶 December 5, 2014, India dispatched “water aid” to the Maldivian capital of Male, after a fire destroyed the generator of its biggest water treatment plant.
🔶The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008 only to be removed in 2012 and replaced by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in a 2013 election.
📝Security status between India and Maldives
🔶The location of Maldives in the Indian ocean makes it important from the perspective of maritime security. It is situated in a mid-way between Strait of Malacca and Suez, which are the world’s busiest trade routes and thousands of cargoes pass through these trade routes.
🔶At the same time, as Kerala and Lakshadweep are in close proximity to the Maldivian islands, there are always India’s concerns about the possible use of Maldives’ territory against it.
🔶Maldives also occupies a special place in India’s foreign policy priority list because of increasing cases of piracy in the Indian Ocean near Somalia and Strait of Malacca, which has made the position of Maldives very important for establishing Naval bases for security in the Indian Ocean.
🔶In 2014 it was decided that next meeting would be held in Maldives. However, it remains to be held.
🔶The location of Maldives in the Indian ocean makes it important from the perspective of maritime security. It is situated in a mid-way between Strait of Malacca and Suez, which are the world’s busiest trade routes and thousands of cargoes pass through these trade routes.
🔶At the same time, as Kerala and Lakshadweep are in close proximity to the Maldivian islands, there are always India’s concerns about the possible use of Maldives’ territory against it.
🔶Maldives also occupies a special place in India’s foreign policy priority list because of increasing cases of piracy in the Indian Ocean near Somalia and Strait of Malacca, which has made the position of Maldives very important for establishing Naval bases for security in the Indian Ocean.
🔶In 2014 it was decided that next meeting would be held in Maldives. However, it remains to be held.