IGNOUMATIC

The role of peacekeeping in Sri Lanka is a significant aspect of India’s foreign policy, especially in the context of regional security dynamics and the country’s relationship with its neighbors. Peacekeeping operations in Sri Lanka have evolved over the decades, with India’s involvement being both direct and indirect. The primary goal has been to manage and resolve the conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil separatist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). India’s role in Sri Lanka’s peace process has been marked by both intervention and subsequent efforts to stabilize the region after the end of active hostilities in 2009.

Background to the Sri Lankan Conflict

Sri Lanka has long been plagued by ethnic strife between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils, leading to a prolonged civil war. The Tamil community, particularly the Tamils of Indian origin, sought greater autonomy or an independent Tamil Eelam, which led to the formation of the LTTE in 1976. The conflict escalated over time, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement, and destruction.

The government of Sri Lanka, led predominantly by the Sinhalese, employed military means to quell the separatist demands, while the LTTE engaged in acts of terrorism and guerrilla warfare. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed in Sri Lanka in 1987 as part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord to resolve the conflict and mediate between the Tamil insurgents and the Sri Lankan government.

India’s Initial Role: The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and the IPKF (1987-1990)

In 1987, India and Sri Lanka signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which aimed to resolve the ethnic conflict through political means and promote the devolution of power to the Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern provinces. The Accord facilitated the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to enforce peace and stabilize the situation. The IPKF’s mission was to disarm the LTTE and ensure that the Tamil rebels adhered to the peace process.

However, the IPKF’s involvement in Sri Lanka was contentious. The peacekeepers found themselves caught in the crossfire between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE. The mission faced fierce resistance from the LTTE, which did not recognize the authority of the Indian forces and continued its insurgency. The Indian forces, unfamiliar with the complexities of the Sri Lankan civil war, found it difficult to achieve peace. This led to significant casualties, both among Indian peacekeepers and the Tamil civilians caught in the conflict.

By 1990, after enduring heavy losses and facing a hostile environment, India decided to withdraw the IPKF. The failure of the peacekeeping mission marked a turning point in India’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal conflict, but it also shaped the way India would engage with the island nation in the future.

The Post-IPKF Period and the End of the Civil War

After the withdrawal of the IPKF, India maintained a cautious and pragmatic stance on the Sri Lankan issue. While it continued to offer diplomatic support for a negotiated settlement, it refrained from direct military involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal conflict. India continued to provide humanitarian aid and diplomatic support to the Tamil population, but it also recognized the sovereignty of the Sri Lankan government.

In the years following the IPKF’s withdrawal, the Sri Lankan government, led by successive Sinhalese-majority regimes, continued to wage war against the LTTE. India played a role in encouraging the Sri Lankan government to engage in peace talks, but its involvement remained limited, especially after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by the LTTE in 1991. The incident severely soured India-Lanka relations, and the Indian government distanced itself from the Tamil insurgency in Sri Lanka.

Despite this, India remained a key player in the peace negotiations during the Norwegian-brokered peace process in the early 2000s. India, as a regional power, sought to ensure that the Tamil issue was addressed through political means, and that the LTTE was disarmed. However, the peace talks ultimately collapsed, and the conflict resumed with full intensity.

Sri Lanka’s Civil War: The Final Stages (2006-2009)

By 2006, Sri Lanka’s government had regained control over most of the island, and the LTTE had been reduced to a shadow of its former strength. The Sri Lankan military, with heavy backing from China and Pakistan, escalated its offensive, leading to the eventual defeat of the LTTE in May 2009. The end of the Sri Lankan Civil War marked a pivotal moment in India’s foreign policy and its role in Sri Lanka.

India’s stance during the final stages of the conflict was marked by a complex balancing act. On one hand, India was deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis and the Tamil civilians trapped in the war zone. It also had to manage its domestic Tamil constituency, especially in Tamil Nadu, where there was significant support for the Tamil Tigers and widespread sympathy for the Tamil cause. On the other hand, India had to respect the sovereignty of Sri Lanka, which was determined to end the conflict through military means.

India supported the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to eliminate the LTTE, but it also called for an international investigation into the human rights abuses committed during the final stages of the war. India’s position emphasized the need for a political solution to address the grievances of the Tamil minority, but it was cautious not to alienate the Sri Lankan government by pushing too aggressively for international intervention.

Post-War Period and the Role of Peacekeeping and Reconciliation

After the conclusion of the war, India has focused on providing humanitarian aid and supporting the process of reconciliation between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil population. India has advocated for devolution of powers to the Tamil-majority areas, as well as greater participation of Tamils in the political process. India also continues to engage with Sri Lanka through economic and cultural diplomacy to foster cooperation and ensure long-term stability in the region.

India has been involved in several peacebuilding and reconstruction initiatives in Sri Lanka, including rebuilding infrastructure in the Tamil-majority North and providing aid for displaced communities. India’s engagement in Sri Lanka has also been aimed at ensuring that the Tamil issue does not fester into a new conflict, and that there is progress toward greater political inclusion of the Tamil minority.

Conclusion

In conclusion, India’s involvement in peacekeeping in Sri Lanka has been a complex and evolving process. While India’s role in the IPKF mission in the late 1980s ended in failure, it has remained a key diplomatic player in Sri Lanka’s post-war recovery and reconciliation process. India’s focus on humanitarian aid, political reconciliation, and regional stability continues to guide its engagement with Sri Lanka. As a close neighbor and regional power, India’s role in Sri Lanka remains critical to ensuring long-term peace and stability in the Indian Ocean region.