A wider view of Colombo

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj

by Ahilan Kadirgamar

Indian foreign policy on a political solution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka has been consistent for close to three decades. The Indo-Lankan accord of 1987 led to the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution, recognising Tamil as an official language and devolving power to the provinces — two longstanding demands of the Tamil minority. Since then, India has consistently called for the full implementation of the amendment and meaningful devolution.

A year after his election, President Maithripala Sirisena has initiated a constitutional reform process to address the question that has haunted the country since Independence. Even as Indo-Lankan relations are going through a major transformation after the regime change in Colombo, it might be time for Indian foreign policy to depart from its long engagement grounded on the 13th amendment and support a far-reaching constitutional reform process. Will External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, visiting Sri Lanka this week, break India’s silence and welcome the possibility of a constitutional transformation?

Indian engagement with Sri Lanka escalated on the political front following the J.R. Jayawardene regime’s alignment with the US in 1977. India got entangled in the civil war, gave refuge to fleeing Tamils, and suffered the failed IPKF mission. It was constrained by a security approach to contain the LTTE, particularly after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Over the last decade, particularly in the post-war years, India has emphasised economic engagement. However, Indo-Lankan relations focused on economic integration will not only be shaped by the political leadership in Colombo leaning towards India but also by the local and international pressures affecting the consolidation of the new government.

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