External Affairs Minister of India: Subramaniam Jaishankar
On August 24, 2023, the Minister of External Affairs (India) Subramanium Jaishankar expressed hope for a reconciliation process that addressed the aspirations of the minority Tamil Community in Sri Lanka for equality, justice, and self-respect.
He highlighted the implementation of Article 13A of the Constitution to achieve the objective. The remarks came through a video message of the India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association members on bilateral relations. He also reiterated Indian support for the preservation of Sri Lanka’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious identity.
Jaishankar expressed hope for a reconciliatory process that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil Community for equality, justice, and self-respect within the framework of a united and prosperous Sri Lanka.
He highlighted a meaningful devolution of powers according to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and early conduct of the Provincial Council Elections as being facilitated towards his objectives, according to an official statement by the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
All About Article 13A
In 1987, India and Sri Lanka signed an agreement to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution. According to the agreement, the Sri Lankan government will provide the powers to the Tamil Community in the country.
Recently, External Affairs Minister Subramanium Jaishankar declared that India is pondering the implementation of 13A Critical. According to India, 13A is essential for the Sri Lankan government to reconcile with the Tamil Community in the country.
The root cause dates back to the British Raj. During that period, Tamilians were very powerful in the country. They constituted 11 per cent of the total Sri Lankan Population, and the Sinhalese were in second place. After the British left the island nation in 1948, more Sinhalese were coming to power. They started disfranchising the Tamilians. This led to the formation of the LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam).
The Friction between Tamilians and the Sri Lankans reached their apex in 1983. This is when India started interfering, and in 2009, the leader of the LTTE was killed by the Sri Lankan Army. After that, the conditions of the Tamil Community in the country meagerly and scarcely improved, and they faced discrimination.
Economic Assistance Provided by India
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka triggered by the forex shortage forced the public into the streets, which led to the ouster of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Jaishankar also delved into India’s positive contribution to Sri Lanka’s development, stability and prosperity faced by Sri Lanka based on the geographical proximity and shared democratic values between the two countries. He highlighted the swift and substantial response by India to the economic challenges faced by Sri Lanka over the past year and exemplified India’s commitment to the Neighbourhood First Policy.
He emphasized that the financial assistance of approximately USD 4 billion extended by India was unprecedented in both magnitude and swiftness, surpassing the response of international institutions and bilateral partners.
The Minister elaborated on India’s vision of fostering long-term and sustainable solutions and mentioned the collaborative efforts to address Sri Lanka’s energy requirements through gris connectivity and a Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL) pipeline. He highlighted the potential of renewable energy and regional economic activities, including the Trincomalee hub, for mutual benefit.
Jaishankar on Regional Security
On regional security, the minister reiterated India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) outlook and its expressions through forums such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
The address by Jaishankar served as a reminder of the future and enduring friendship between India and Sri Lanka and reinvigorated the commitment to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of both countries and the broader region.
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