ABSTRACT

India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties pervade in almost all areas despite various ups and downs. In the age of globalization, connectivity is crucial in maintaining and enhancing relations. Realizing this, India and Sri Lanka have invested in connectivity in four broad areas: physical, cultural, information and communication technology (ICT), and economic. Physical connectivity presently exists through air and sea; given the proximity, land connectivity would benefit the common man on both sides. Cultural connections go back centuries and have received an institutional framework of late. ICT linkage is emerging but highly promising in terms of public-private involvement. With components of trade and investments, economic connectivity faces tough competition from extra-regional powers like China. On the way forward, challenges abound and require patience and maturity in policy making and its implementation in both countries.