‘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. (UPSC 2022)

India’s response to Sri Lanka’s recent crisis reflected both civilisational closeness and strategic responsibility. As a close neighbour, India moved quickly to prevent a deeper humanitarian and financial collapse.

• Emergency support: India extended about USD 4 billion through currency swaps, credit lines and supplies of fuel, food and medicines, acting as a lender of last resort.
• IMF pathway: It was the first bilateral creditor to give financing assurances to the IMF, helping unlock Sri Lanka’s bailout package and easing default fears.
• Development partnership: India also backed recovery through support for digital identity, energy projects, community grants and debt restructuring.
• Security and connectivity: Cooperation on ports, power links and maritime security under SAGAR and Neighbourhood First showed that India sees Sri Lanka’s stability as vital to the Indian Ocean.

Thus, India acted not as a distant donor but as a trusted partner. However, its role must remain sensitive to Sri Lankan sovereignty and balanced amid external influence, especially from China.