India-Sri Lanka Relations
Historical Context and Recent Reset
India and Sri Lanka share approximately 65 km of maritime proximity across the Palk Strait, making them among the closest neighbours in the world by sea. The relationship has oscillated between deep cooperation and periodic strain, shaped by the Tamil ethnic question, fishermen disputes, and great-power competition in the Indian Ocean.
- The Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord (1987) — signed by Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi and J.R. Jayewardene — established a framework for Tamil political accommodation (13th Amendment to Sri Lanka's Constitution) and brought Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka.
- The IPKF (1987–1990) fought against the LTTE but also clashed with the JVP, which at the time opposed Indian intervention as neo-imperialist. The JVP waged its own insurgency (1987–89) partly in reaction to IPKF presence, resulting in thousands of deaths.
- The 13th Amendment remains a live issue: it mandates the devolution of power to Provincial Councils, including to the Tamil-majority Northern Province. India has consistently urged Sri Lanka to fully implement the 13th Amendment.
- India provided approximately $4 billion in support during Sri Lanka's 2022 economic crisis (currency swaps, credit lines, commodity supplies) — the largest bilateral support package from any single country.
● Tracked since February 18, 2026 · last seen April 19, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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