2022 · GS Paper 2 · Q9 · 10 marks
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.
In short
India acted as Sri Lanka's age-old friend in the 2022 crisis, giving swift, unconditional help and unlocking the IMF bailout, though old irritants and the China factor persist. Its 2022 package of about US$4 billion was the largest bilateral support Sri Lanka received.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 286 words
Largest responder
India's package of about US$4 billion in 2022 was the biggest bilateral help, keeping fuel, food and medicine flowing.
Humanitarian outreach
Rice, milk powder, medicines and urea for the paddy season reached ordinary families, with Tamil Nadu adding its own relief.
Unlocking the IMF
India was the first creditor to give financing assurances (January 2023), clearing the IMF's US$2.9 billion facility.
No strings
The help came without political conditions, in the Gujral Doctrine spirit.
Shared ties and past help
Buddhism, Indian-origin Tamils and India's role after the 2004 tsunami and the X-Press Pearl disaster (2021) anchor trust and make Sri Lanka's stability a direct Indian interest.
Strains
The Tamil question and the 13th Amendment, fishermen's disputes over Katchatheevu, Hambantota's lease to China (2017) and the Yuan Wang 5 docking in August 2022 show the friendship coexists with hedging.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.