Context:
- External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar undertook a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, meeting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
- During the visit, India announced a $450 million relief and reconstruction package to assist Sri Lanka in recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Michaung.
Key Highlights:
Diplomatic Engagements
- Meetings held with Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister, reaffirming India’s role as a reliable first responder.
- Engagements also included Sri Lankan Tamil leaders and representatives of the Indian-origin Tamil community.
- India reiterated its commitment to reconstruction, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery in Sri Lanka.
Relief & Reconstruction Package Details
- Total package: $450 million
- $300 million as grant assistance
- $150 million as concessional credit lines
- Implemented under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India’s humanitarian assistance framework for neighbouring countries.
Sectoral Coverage
- Rehabilitation and restoration of connectivity:
- Roads
- Railways
- Bridges
- Housing reconstruction, particularly for cyclone-affected regions.
- Agricultural restoration, addressing crop losses and input shortages.
Humanitarian Assistance Already Provided
- Since November 28, India supplied over 1,134 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including:
- Dry rations
- Tents
- Tarpaulins
- Hygiene kits
- Water purification systems
- 14.5 tonnes of medicines and surgical equipment
Cyclone Impact in Sri Lanka
- Cyclone Michaung affected over 600 people, destroyed hundreds of buildings, and displaced nearly 2,00,000 people.
- Sri Lankan leaders acknowledged India’s “unprecedented assistance” during the 2022 economic crisis and the current disaster.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Issue: Disaster-induced humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Michaung.
- Causes:
- Extreme weather events linked to climate variability
- Vulnerable coastal and urban infrastructure
- Government / Diplomatic Initiatives:
- Operation Sagar Bandhu – India’s disaster assistance initiative for neighbourhood countries.
- India’s Neighbourhood First Policy in action.
- Use of grants and concessional credit lines as development diplomacy tools.
- Benefits:
- Strengthens India–Sri Lanka bilateral relations
- Enhances regional stability and goodwill
- Builds India’s image as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Challenges:
- Increasing frequency of climate-induced disasters
- Need for resilient infrastructure in neighbouring countries
- Ensuring timely implementation of reconstruction projects
- Impact:
- Reinforces India’s leadership in humanitarian diplomacy.
- Deepens people-to-people and political trust.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Key Concepts & Policies:
- Neighbourhood First Policy
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)
- Development diplomacy
- Climate resilience and disaster management
- Institutions & Frameworks:
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
- Operation Sagar initiatives
- Bilateral development cooperation mechanisms
- Strategic Significance:
- Sri Lanka’s importance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- Counterbalance to extra-regional influence through timely assistance.
- Way Forward:
- Institutionalise early disaster response coordination with neighbours.
- Promote climate-resilient infrastructure financing in South Asia.
- Strengthen regional disaster preparedness frameworks under BIMSTEC and IORA.
- Continue blending humanitarian aid with long-term development support.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
- GS I: Disaster management, climate-induced vulnerabilities
- GS II: India’s foreign policy, neighbourhood relations, diplomacy
- GS III: Climate change impacts, disaster resilience
- GS IV: Ethics in international relations – humanitarian responsibility