“India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.” Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (Answer in 150 words)

India and Sri Lanka share civilisational, ethnic, maritime and economic ties. During Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis, India combined humanitarian assistance with support for stability and democratic recovery.

India’s role

• India provided emergency credit and support for fuel, food, medicines and essential commodities.
• It supplied fertiliser and other urgent inputs, helping sustain livelihoods and food security.
• Currency and trade-related support helped Sri Lanka manage an acute balance-of-payments crisis.
• India engaged through neighbourhood-first and SAGAR principles, while respecting Sri Lankan sovereignty.

Strategic significance

Assistance protected ordinary people, preserved goodwill and countered destabilising external dependence in the Indian Ocean. Long-term cooperation in energy, connectivity, tourism, digital payments and fisheries remains important. India must also support inclusive reconciliation, particularly concerning the Tamil community, and avoid appearing interventionist.

Conclusion

India’s response illustrated responsible regional leadership: timely humanitarian relief should now evolve into sustainable, transparent and mutually beneficial partnership.

Neighbourhood First; SAGAR; humanitarian assistance; economic crisis; Indian Ocean; reconciliation.