Painful lessons of 1987 and Indo-Lanka relations

This month marks 38 years since the signing of the Indo-Lanka Accord in July 1987—an agreement that remains one of the most consequential and controversial episodes in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history. For many Sri Lankans, the accord is a reminder not only of deep diplomatic missteps but also of the harsh realities of regional geopolitics. Yet, if we are to draw anything meaningful from this painful past, it must be the necessity of strong, respectful, and balanced relations between our two nations.

The lead-up to the Indo-Lanka Accord was riddled with misjudgements and mistrust on both sides. Sri Lanka’s internal conflict had become a regional flashpoint, and India—motivated by a mix of regional power aspirations, domestic political compulsions, and Cold War dynamics—intervened in ways that many Sri Lankans perceived as coercive and heavy-handed. The infamous “Parippu Drop” of June 1987, a blatant violation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, forced Colombo into an uncomfortable corner, culminating in the acceptance of Indian military presence on Sri Lankan soil through the Indo-Lanka Accord.

What followed was a tragic and bloody chapter. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), initially meant to disarm militants and support peace, ended up in open conflict with the LTTE. More than 1,200 Indian soldiers lost their lives, and the long-term consequences were devastating, including the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi—one of the architects of the accord, scion of the Nehru dynasty, and had he lived, one of the most consequential political figures to date in India.

Yet, in hindsight, the Indo-Lanka Accord reveals not just a failed intervention, but glaring lessons on consequences of breakdown in bilateral trust and risks of emotive conflagrations. When trust breaks down between neighbours, the costs are enormous. For both countries, the experience should have emphasised the need for mature diplomacy, mutual respect, and sensitivity to each other’s internal challenges.

Today, the dynamics have shifted, but the stakes remain high. The emergence of China as a strategic player in the Indian Ocean has added a new layer of complexity to Indo-Lanka relations while the Cold War divisions have disappeared. India’s concerns in this regard are not without merit, but neither is Sri Lanka’s right to pursue economic partnerships in its national interest. Recent inflammatory rhetoric over Katchatheevu from the highest levels in New Delhi threatens to revive old tensions and erode the spirit of cooperation.

Sri Lanka must make it unequivocally clear that any threat to its territorial integrity—be it rhetorical or physical—will be treated with utmost seriousness. Our sovereignty is not up for negotiation, and as a nation, we have a solemn duty to safeguard it for future generations. In this effort, no relationship is beyond scrutiny or compromise.

That said, Sri Lanka must also recognise the value of a stable, constructive relationship with India. Our geographic proximity and shared cultural heritage offer immense opportunities for collaboration in trade, education, security, and people-to-people ties. The failures of the past must not define the future. Instead, they must fuel a renewed commitment to dialogue, empathy, and strategic balance.

As we reflect on the Indo-Lanka Accord’s legacy, let it serve not just as a cautionary tale, but as a clarion call for Sri Lanka to stand firm in its sovereignty, and for both nations to pursue a relationship based on equality, non-interference, and mutual respect.